Arsenal vs Southampton Premier League preview: How to watch, lineups, Arteta pressure & prediction

Arsenal Team News vs Southampton – Smith Rowe & Martinelli Injuries

Not only did Arsenal leave Merseyside without a point to show for it, they also left with some additional injury concerns and Gabriel Martinelli was forced off having been seen clutching his thigh.

With no official update from the club (at the time of writing), all there is to work on is the worrying assessment from the manager after the game.

"“I don’t know [how bad the injury is],” Arteta said. “We have to assess him but he felt something in his hamstring, I’m not very positive about it.”"

After earning two starts in successive matches the setback will come as a huge blow to both Martinelli and the team, who will need him over the hectic schedule. Furthermore, he may have been in line for another nod from the off with there still some uncertainty over Emile Smith Rowe’s involvement.

Not in the squad at all at Goodison Park, he was listed as having a tight groin and had been in contention to start. He may still be in line for a spot in the squad. Aside from those two, Granit Xhaka is obviously back fit and Sead Kolasinac remain absent alongside Bernd Leno.

As for the visitors, Oriol Romeu and Mohamed Salisu will both miss out due to suspension, while Stuart Armstrong and Jan Bednarek are struggling with calf problems.

The most interesting aspect of their squad is the absence of both their first team goalkeepers, Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy, which saw them bring in 40-year-old Willy Caballero on a short-term contract. He is set to make his debut.

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