Tactical Analysis: Southampton vs Arsenal
Southampton are likely to prove problematic to Arsenal this weekend. They’re an efficient side who put in a heroic performance at Anfield and have been our bogey team for years!
Both sides are likely to feature semi-rotated lineups, which brings a slightly different dynamic to the game.
Southampton are likely to put out a midfield similar to the one in the League Cup win over Arsenal, with Reed, Hojberg and Clasie – three hard-working midfielders who will try to press and disrupt our flow as they have done so successfully in past games.
To counter this, Arsenal are likely to field the more robust Iwobi as the #10, as well as the tough Coquelin-Ramsey duo in midfield.
This game will be won and lost by two factors: Southampton’s defence and Arsenal’ offence. The former is depleted heavily, but still managed to grab a clean sheet at Anfield, and the latter, while scoring plenty, has not looked as fluid as usual.
This is not to discount Southampton’s offence. Shane Long has proven a thorn in the side of Arsenal for years, while Tadic and Josh Sims are excellent on their day.
The key matchups here will be Perez vs McQueen – the experience of the wide striker against a young left back may be something to exploit – and Long against Gabriel; back in central defence, Gabriel will need to be extra diligent to track his movement.