Unai Emery badly needs a result as Arsenal host Southampton this Saturday following a tough international break.
A meek 2-0 defeat at Leicester City saw the Gunners sign off eight points off the Premier League top four, with head coach Emery feeling the heat as fans question whether he is the right man to lead the club forward.
Emery is also under pressure to prove his decision to strip Granit Xhaka of the captaincy was the correct one, and must settle a squad now led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The saving grace for Arsenal is that they face a Southampton side in relegation form, though Ralph Hasenhuttl will look at this game in north London as something of a free hit for the struggling Saints.
Premier League preview
Arsenal vs Southampton
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Kick-off time: 3pm GMT, Saturday November 23
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
The Gunners are unbeaten at the Emirates so far this season, but have drawn three of their six League matches.
That will boost a Southampton side who have been terrible at home (five defeats and a draw) but are far better on the road (two wins, a draw and three defeats) - but Emery's attack should have enough to see out a win.
Betting tips and odds via Betfair Exchange
- Arsenal to win: 8/15
- Draw: 4/1
- Southampton to win: 6/1
Correct score
| Scoreline | Arsenal win | Southampton win | Draw |
| 1-0 | 17/2 | 20/1 | 0-0 (16/1) |
| 2-0 | 15/2 | 35/1 | 1-1 (8/1) |
| 2-1 | 13/2 | 14/1 | 2-2 (12/1) |
| 3-0 | 10/1 | 80/1 |
|
Odds provided by Betfair. Click here to place a bet. Odds correct as of November 22.
Tickets
Click here for more information on how to buy Arsenal home tickets.
Southampton away tickets are currently sold out.
Team news and predicted lineups
Arsenal
The debate for Unai Emery as he attempts to turn results around at Arsenal will centre around whether he sticks with a back three.
The Spaniard used it against Leicester City and Vitoria in the Gunners’ last two games and you would expect it to get another outing here.
The trio who started at the back at Leicester should keep their places, although Sokratis is pushing to be involved, while out wide Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney look likely to be the wing-backs.
Emery has a decision to make over Granit Xhaka too, who has been stripped of the captaincy and not played for Arsenal since October 27.
The head coach was due to address the midfielder’s possible involvement on Thursday, but after playing twice for Switzerland over the international break he could make the bench.
The front three of Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is likely to continue.
Possible Arsenal XI (3-4-1-2): Leno; Chambers, Luiz, Holding; Bellerin, Torreira, Guendouzi, Tierney; Ozil; Lacazette and Aubameyang.
Southampton
Ryan Bertrand will be back from suspension, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is on the comeback trail from concussion.
Possible Southampton XI (3-4-3): McCarthy; Bednarek, Stephens, Vestergaard; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Cedric; Redmond, Ings, Djenepo
TV channel and live stream information
The match will not be televised live in the UK due to TV blackout rules regarding 3pm kick-offs.
You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE match blog from the Emirates with Simon Collings.
Head to head (H2H) results history
Arsenal dominate this fixture with 50 wins to Southampton's 21 victories, along with 26 draws.
The last meeting between the teams saw Arsenal win 2-0 at the Emirates in the League in February, but the Saints won 3-2 at St Mary's last December.
