Southampton vs Arsenal match preview: Can the Gunners keep their title charge on course on Boxing Day?
A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at St. Mary’s Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.It’s a big game for…
Sadio Mane: The Southampton forward has not managed to score in the last three games, and he failed to convert on a few occasions against Tottenham last week. For Southampton to have a chance against the high-flying Gunners they are going to need him to re-find his form, and the back of the net along with it.
Best stat…
5: Five of the last six times Arsenal won the top flight title they were in second place at Christmas. This bodes well for optimistic Arsenal fans who hope their team can win it all this year, as they find themselves in second heading into this fixture.
Remember when…
Nathaniel Clyne found the back of the net with this screamer in a Capital One Cup fixture between the two sides in September 2014.
Player to watch…
Mesut Ozil: The playmaking midfielder has been mesmeric this season, as he leads the league in assists, with 15 in 16 games. Despite Manchester City’s best efforts to contain him he was still able to provide the assist for both of Arsenal’s goals. This choice could have gone to a number of Arsenal players, as Olivier Giroud has been in top goal-scoring form recently, and how Arsene Wenger adapts to the loss of Alexis Sanchez to injury will be a key story to follow.
Past three meetings…
Southampton 2 (Mane, Tadic) Arsenal 0, Premier League, January 2015
Arsenal 1 (Sanchez) Southampton 0, Premier League, December 2014
Arsenal 1 (Sanchez) Southampton 2 (Tadic (pen), Clyne), Capital One Cup, September 2014
Form guide…
Southampton: LLLDLL
Arsenal: WDWWWW
Vital Information…
Kick-Off Time: 19:45
TV: Live on BT Sport 1, Highlights on BBC1 10:30pm
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