Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka secured a 2-0 win for Arsenal over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League midweek, with the Gunners producing a fantastic defensive display against the Ligue 1 champions. Next up is a much different test for Mikel Arteta's side, with relegation-battling Southampton paying a trip to north London.
Interestingly, Arsenal have failed to win any of their last three meetings against the Saints, with a 3-3 draw at the Emirates Stadium taking place last time out. Mikel Merino could push for a start after making his Arsenal debut midweek, while Martin Odegaard remains out.
So, can Arsenal put an end to their winless run against Southampton? Let's take a look.
Arsenal vs Southampton score predicted
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-4-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Raya; Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Saka, Partey, Rice, Martinelli; Trossard, Havertz.
We predict that Southampton could line up in a 5-3-2 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Taylor, Walker-Peters; Downes, Ugochukwu, Fernandes; Dibling, Archer.
Arsenal were promising in the opening stages at the Emirates Stadium, with Saka striking the far post before Havertz tested Aaron Ramsdale from close range as the Gunners looked for the opener. But, against the run of play, it was Southampton who took the lead.
Arsenal were caught in possession when trying to pass out of the back, with Thomas Partey pressed into giving up possession to Cameron Archer. The striker pushed the ball past William Saliba before having an audacious effort on goal, and his strike flew past David Raya and into the far corner to put the Saints into a shock lead.
Gabriel Martinelli almost handed Arteta's side the perfect response when he pounced on a poor back pass to go one-on-one with Ramsdale, but the former Arsenal 'keeper made himself big to deny the Brazilian. Arsenal's pressure was relentless, and they were finally rewarded for their efforts just before the break.
After picking up possession deep in his own half, Declan Rice glided forward with the ball, single-handedly starting an attack for the Gunners. He drilled a pass into the feet of Havertz who lifted the ball over the Southampton backline to Leandro Trossard, and on the half-volley, the Belgian rifled his shot past Ramsdale to draw level.
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