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Chris Wheatley

Smith Rowe starts with Pepe on the wing - Reporters pick their Arsenal teams to face Southampton

Arsenal face their second trip to St Mary's in less than three days as they play Southampton on Tuesday night.

The Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup by Ralph Hassenhuttl's side on Saturday and will be hoping to put in a better performance on the South Coast this time round.

What team should Arteta name to get a positive result against the Saints? Below football.london 's Arsenal experts name the sides they'd field on Sunday afternoon.

Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal reporter

Rotating the starting XI really cost Mikel Arteta in the FA Cup on Saturday and I would be looking to revert back to the players that have served him so well in the league for Southampton vs Arsenal the sequel.

That means playing an actual left footed left back in Kieran Tierney as part of a back four that includes, Rob Holding, David Luiz and Hector Bellerin.

Had Gabriel played better on Saturday I might have been inclined to throw him in, but there was little to suggest the Brazilian is ready for a return to Premier League action.

Arsenal were so much better once Thomas Partey came on to the field in the FA Cup so for me he has to start alongside Granit Xhaka in midfield.

We’re not sure whether Aubameyang’s personal issue will keep him out of the match on Tuesday but if he’s fit then he should join up with a front four including Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Alex Lacazette.

Martinelli would be a fine replacement, but if the captain is ready then he obviously has to play.

Kaynak’s starting XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang; Lacazette

Chris Wheatley - Arsenal reporter

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kieran Tierney are both expected to miss Arsenal's match against Southampton.

The absence of two of the Gunners' most important players opens the pathway for the likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Eddie Nketiah to feature.

However, Mikel Arteta has been hesitant to play Maitland-Niles in recent games and could decide to play Bukayo Saka at left-back instead.

It's likely that Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey will partner eachother in midfield, while Nicolas Pepe and Willian could continue as Arteta continues to stick by the under-performing duo.

Alexandre Lacazette looks likely to lead the line upfront while Emile Smith Rowe will return in the no.10 role as Arsenal try to find the creativity they lacked in the previous game.

Wheatley's starting XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Maitland-Niles; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Lacazette

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