Arsenal

Southampton vs Arsenal: Statistical Preview, Form Guide, Injury News & Head-To-Head

Arsenal head into the final 16 games of the Premier League season with a trip to Southampton on Tuesday night. Here’s a statistical preview of the game.

by
Barrie's View
January 28, 2014

Arsenal head into the final 16 games of the Premier League season with a trip to Southampton on Tuesday night.

The Gunners extended their run of victories to five with a 2-0 home win over Fulham last weekend, before thrashing Coventry City in the FA Cup on Friday night.

Southampton were FA Cup victors over Yeovil at the weekend, after blowing a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Sunderland in the Premier League the previous weekend.

Form

Southampton DWLLW

After picking up just 5 points from seven matches in December, Southampton have picked up 4 points from their last two matches following a New Year’s Day defeat at home to Arsenal.

Jay Rodriguez scored last weekend to extend his record to 6 goals in 11 Premier League matches since making his England debut. Prior to that, the former Burnley forward had scored 9 in his first 46 before Roy Hodgson capped him at international level. Artur Boruc’s impressive season took a hit last weekend when conceding 2 at the Stadium of Light.

Dejan Lovren has been ruled out for up to two months which is a huge blow to Southampton’s defence. The Saints were on an eight-match unbeaten streak, conceding just three goals prior to their trip to the Emirates Stadium in November when Lovren missed the game through injury and lost 2-0.

Arsenal WWWWW

Every win Manchester City and Chelsea have achieved over the past five gameweeks, Arsenal have matched, maintaining their 1-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Santi Cazorla scored twice in 6 minutes to beat Fulham last time out.

Cazorla and Jack Wilshere are playing well in midfield, whilst Olivier Giroud has two goals in their last three league games. The Arsenal defence have kept clean sheets in four of their last six league matches. Wojciech Szczęsny has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the league this season.

Arsenal are boosted by Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta’s return to fitness and availability midweek. About Diaby and Yaya Sanogo remain absent, Jack Wilshere is a doubt with an ankle injury whilst Theo Walcott is sidelined for the season.

Head-to-head

Arsenal were 2-0 winners at home to Southampton back in September. Artur Boruc gifted Olivier Giroud the opening goal midway through the first half before the French striker wrapped up the points 5 minutes from time.

The Gunners had been 6-1 winners when they met at the Emirates Stadium last season but were held 1-1 at St Mary’s when Mauricio Pochettino faced Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal for the first time.