Russell Martin is desperate for three points as his men are still waiting for their first win back in the top-flight, sitting 19th in the table.
They were beaten by Bournemouth last time out, succumbing to their fifth loss in six outings and seeing their average goals conceded per game rise to two.
The Southampton hierarchy are split over the club's poor start to the season, talkSPORT understands.
Manager Martin is coming under increasing pressure from owner Dragan Solak after his newly promoted side took just one point from their first six games.
The Saints are also the lowest scorers in the Premier League after netting only three goals and slumped to a 3-1 defeat at south coast rivals Bournemouth on Monday night.
Martin does retain the support of sporting director Rasmus Ankersen, who head-hunted the former Swansea boss and is backing him to turn their fortunes around.
It leaves Martin in a precarious position heading into this clash against Arsenal, with another defeat piling on more pressure.
But anything but a loss at the Emirates should certainly be viewed as a major positive.
Martin is under pressure from the Southampton owner
Martin is under pressure from the Southampton owner
Arsenal vs Southampton: Team news
Arsenal are still going to be without captain Martin Odegaard.
He’s not expected to be back for a while yet as he continues to recover from his ankle issue while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out too.
Ben White missed the PSG game in midweek and is a doubt for this one, but Mikel Merino may make his Premier League debut after returning from injury.
Jurrien Timber was withdrawn at half time on Tuesday night, however, he’s not expected to be sidelined this weekend.
As for Southampton, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will return to face his former club.
Ramsdale lost his place to David Raya as Gunners No.1 last season under Arteta and was forced to leave for first-team football.
He will be hoping to get one over his ex-side with the Saints who may bring Joe Aribo, Ross Stewart and Ben Brereton Diaz into the starting line-up.
Arsenal vs Southampton: What has been said?
Kai Havertz is starring for Arsenal once again this season, netting his fifth goal of the season in midweek against Paris Saint-Germain.
Havertz has also now scored in his last three games and he’ll be aiming to continue his impressive form against Southampton.
His manager Arteta has piled praise onto him, labelling the Germain as one of the main players in the Gunners squad currently.
Following their 2-0 win on Tuesday night, he said: "He [Havertz] has been unbelievable.
"His football brain, the way he understands space, his timing, he brings people together. His work ethic is incredible and now he is a real threat around the box.
"He is one of our main players at the moment.”
Havertz has become a key member of Arteta's squad
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