Arsenal vs Southampton predicted XI: Don’t be nervous

Midfield

Not a lot of options here, so while the stress of putting together a competent defense is certainly something ongoing, the midfield is very similar. Unlike the defense, it remains to be seen if we have all the necessary personnel, or if we need to add more to make this midfield actually work.

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Granit Xhaka probably isn’t going to start. He may play, I’d like to see him play, but I don’t look forward to fans making complete arseholes of themselves when he steps onto the pitch. But that doesn’t seem likely to happen in this one.

Dani Ceballos is also unlikely to play, and Joe Willock has fallen out of favor, so what this comes down to is more arrangement, not seleciton.

That means that Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira will be the base pair, which doesn’t always give me the warm and fuzzies, especially with Torreira unsure of his future and not high on confidence.

Lastly, Mesut Ozil may well keep his spot in the No. 10 role by default. The only other option is to run with a 4-4-2, with maybe Ainsley Maitland Niles playing opposite Nicolas Pepe, but while I love the concept, i don’t think Emery is feeling that adventurous yet. Give it time.

The front three is next.