Latest Arsenal Team News Update + Predicted Starting XI To Face Southampton

Arsenal take on Southampton tomorrow night looking to cement their place at the top of the Premier League table.

Arsene Wenger held his pre-match press conference this morning and has given Arsenal.com a team news and injury update with the latest on the fitness of Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Thomas Vermaelen, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Lets start with the bad news is it looks like Wilshere may miss the game after picking up an ankle problem during the 4-0 win over Coventry City on Friday night, with Wenger confirming the midfielder is a doubt for the trip to the south coast.

However, Wilshere’s potential absence has been counter-acted by the return of Arteta from a calf strain. The Spaniard has missed the last three weeks with the problem but is likely to start in midfield tomorrow.  Wenger also told reporters this morning that Ramsey is fit again, but for some reason the Arsenal.com website have failed to mention it.

TEAM NEWS: "We have a doubt about @JackWilshere but Ramsey, Arteta and Vermaelen are back in the squad" http://t.co/m6MX2b8ITd #SFCvAFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 27, 2014

Vermaelen is also back in contention after recovering from a knee injury but Wenger is expected to stick with the impressive Mertesacker-Koscielny partnership at the back.

Oxlade-Chamberlain started against Coventry on Friday and while the boss says he has a chance of retaining his place, it’s likely that he’ll make way and drop down to the bench.

Here’s what Wenger told the clubs website:

on the team news for Tuesday…

We have a doubt about Jack Wilshere, who had an ankle problem during the game against Coventry.

on players returning…

We have players back normally in the squad – Vermaelen and Arteta. They should be back and available but we might from our last game lose Jack for tomorrow’s game.

on Oxlade-Chamberlain starting…

He’s fitter, still not at 100 per cent. That decision has not been made yet, he might start, I don’t know yet. But he’s getting closer.

Wojciech Szczesny and Bacary Sagna should be recalled tomorrow while Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud are also expected to come back in. The pair were rested for the FA Cup clash but came off the bench to both get on the score-sheet and will stat against Southampton.

Lukas Podolski will feel he deserves to retain his place after scoring a brace last time out but Kieran Gibbs may make way for Nacho Monreal if Wenger decides to continue to rotate his left-backs.

Here’s the starting eleven I think Wenger will opt for:

What do you think of my team? What line-up would you choose for the game? Share your views below.