Arsenal are looking to finish the season strong with a trip to St Mary’s for their final match of the Premier League season. While it may seem that there’s little to play for, the Gunners could break an English top-flight record. Here is our Arsenal predicted lineup.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Southampton for May 25
How Arsenal Have Lined-up Recently
Mikel Arteta fielded a full-strength starting eleven against Newcastle United with many familiar faces in the team.
This included David Raya who has been almost ever-present between the sticks for the Gunners this season.
In defence, Ben White continued his recent run of matches after returning from injury. He played alongside William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior, who has been deputising for Gabriel Magalhaes since his injury. At left-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly continues to impress.
In midfield, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice partnered Thomas Partey. Odegaard and Rice combined to score the all-important winner that has all but cemented their runners-up status in the Premier League last time out.
Up top were Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.
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Arsenal Recent Form and Tactics
Arsenal have one win, one draw and three losses in their five matches.
The Gunners have won on the final matchday of the Premier League for the last 13 seasons. After Southampton’s torrid season, the Saints sit rock bottom and with the worst record for goals scored and conceded. They’ll no doubt want to prove a point against Arsenal and so the North London side will play with the same tactics and mindset as they have had for the rest of the season. While it would take an eight-goal swing for Manchester City to leapfrog them, the players will be keen to grab all three points to finish as runners-up on points alone.
What is more, there is a 101-year-0ld record that Arsenal can break should they win. With victory in Southampton, Arsenal will become the first club to win 14 of their final games of the season at top-flight level in England.
Arteta also pointed to other motivations ahead of this final fixture: “There’s motivation because you want to have as many points as possible. You are always here representing this club to win and to play in the manner that we want to do. We still want to achieve the best defensive record, the Golden Glove is still to play for and finish the season again on a high with a good test and always respecting the competition.”
Arsenal Injuries and Absentees to Consider
Mikel Arteta gave the following updates on Arsenal’s injuries: “Jurrien had surgery on Tuesday morning on his ankle. He’s been feeling that discomfort for many, many weeks. He’s been navigating through the season with that issue and it needed to be resolved, so he’s going to be out for a while. And Saliba, he felt something in his hamstring in the first half [against Newcastle], just before half-time. And again, he’s going to be out for a few weeks.”
Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Magalhaes are all still out injured.
Mikel Merino is available again after serving his suspension.
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Arsenal Predicted Lineup Vs Southampton
GK: David Raya
RB: Ben White
CB: Riccardo Calafiori
CB: Jakub Kiwior
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly
CM: Martin Odegaard
CM: Thomas Partey
CM: Declan Rice
RW: Bukayo Saka
CF: Gabriel Martinelli
LW: Leandro Trossard