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Arsenal Vs Southampton: Predicted starting XI – More Mesut Ozil?

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal walks onto the pitch prior to the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal walks onto the pitch prior to the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

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Laurent Koscielny hobbled off after 55 minutes against BATE Borisov on Thursday night. Unai Emery said after the match that the change was a precaution so it would be surprising if he has any long-term damage. Nevertheless, a match three days later would seemingly be too soon.

Thankfully, Sokratis made his return to the team in Koscielny’s stead, even scoring a thumping header. I would expect the Greek international to make his first start since coming back from injury himself at the weekend.

His partner will most likely be Shkodran Mustafi. Dinos Mavropanos has ostensibly not been able to unseat him in training and he played better against Borisov in the week. That said, Nacho Monreal could also be an option if Emery went with a different approach at the full-back position or with a 3-4-3 formation.

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