Arsenal should get a great start to 2013 against Southampton
Southampton Vs Arsenal Preview by AH
Arsenal will travel to face Southampton at St Mary’s in what should be a tight game, despite the Saints sitting in the relegation zone. Arsenal will look to kick off the New Year in style and continue to push up the table with 5 consecutive wins.
We were enthralled by the win on Saturday to signify the last game at the Emirates in 2012. Newcastle were always going to be tough opponents and it looked like we were going to throw away all 3 points on several occasions with the Magpies continuing to push, however their midweek game against Manchester United meant that by the 70th minute they were lacking in both mental and physical strength, allowing Arsenal to run riot and fire 4 past Tim Krul in the last 20 minutes and win the game 7-3.
Back to Southampton, and Arsenal will be confident going into this game, not just because of recent results but also because we have already fired 6 past our opponents, in the reverse fixture at the Emirates this season.
There are no fresh injury concerns, but The Gunners could welcome Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky back to the squad that will travel to St Marys, whilst Andre Santos, Abou Diaby are expected to re-join training this week.
Southampton have slightly worse injury concerns with the Saints likely to be without club captain Adam Lallana. One player who is likely to return to the side is Uruguayan playmaker Gaston Ramirez, who has proved to be very effective for Southampton, growing into a key player for the club. Another player Arsenal need to be wary of is the ever present threat of Ricky Lambert who will look to pounce and punish the Arsenal defence.
Former Southampton players Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are expected to start, with Wenger set to name the same side that played on Saturday. The full team is expected to be;
Szczesny
Sagna Koscienly Vermaelen Gibbs
Arteta Wilshere
Cazorla
Oxlade-Chamberlain Walcott Podolski
Giroud deserves a place in the starting line-up, however it’s unlikely that Wenger will change a winning team that is full of confidence and on form so the Frenchman is once again expected to feature as a substitute.
One player who we should look out for is Southampton left back Luke Shaw; the 17 year old is a reported target for Arsenal, with the club looking to sell off Andre Santos.
I think this should be a fairly comfortable game, however it won’t be easy and we cannot lose concentration. St Mary’s is a tough place to go, as Manchester United found out a few weeks back. Providing we are up for the game and don’t underestimate our opponents I think we will run out as 3-1 winners.
It’s been a year of ups and downs for Arsenal, but never the less, we are still going strong and hopefully we can build on our current position, add some quality to the squad and get back into the top 4. I hope you’ve all had a good 2012, I wish everyone a happy new year and all the best for 2013. Come On You Gunners!
Walcott will score a brace tomorrow. Watch this space
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
17 
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Walcott will score against his former club!!!
(just like robin scored against his)
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41 
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We shouldn’t underestimate them!!
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Schezny
Jenkinson–koc–vermalean–gibbs
———wilshere–arteta
-AOX——-rosicky——podolski
————walcott
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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If our front 3 repeat the same performance then we will outscore them no matter how many they wil score against us.This will be an open game,expect goals.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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We are on fire now, expect 5-1 to us.
Walcott to score 2 goals
COYG
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I would start that team. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Especially if fixing it involves Gervinho and Ramsey.
Bring on Giroud around 60 minutes to freshen things up and allow is to change tactis. Giroud coming on was devastating against Newcastle. The Walcott-Giroud partnership looks absolutely unstoppable.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
41 
5
Start Walcott as striker again,Giroud can be our Hernandez/Dzeko.
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38 
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i actually see a bigger scoreline than 3-1 i see sixes,fives or sevens.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Transfer rumours ‘kill me’!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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walcott-14goals 8assists age 23yo
van juda-17goals 6assists age 29&decaying yo
hatrick again on tuesday your the english messi
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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I think Jenkinson should start, Sagna defended terribly against Newcastle.
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I think this came will be much more of a test than we think. We have been scoring lots although also conceding and Southampton fired 3 past stoke (one of the best defences in the league). We’ll do well to keep out Lambert. I can see this being a goal fest but hopefully Theo to continue scoring and Giroud. Cumon you Arsenal!
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START GIROUD N WALCOT UPFRONT!
1 in Air n another is on ground!
it vl b awsome combination, U cant stop Walcot pace n U cant keep Giroud head down!
So it vl superb combination!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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@artillery1
Totally agree no need for 451 against an inferior Southampton side lets go there with basically a Front 4 and dismantle them!!
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2 
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Start the same team as against Newcastle. I’m hoping for another devastating result.
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Hope it won’t be as easy win as against Bradford
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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BREAKING NEWS!!!!!
Gervinho just won the FIFA 2012 headless chicken of the year award.No suprise there.
Just hope hes doesnt play cause with him on the pitch literally anything can happen.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Every premiership away game is tough il take any win away from home 1nil whatever!!
Why is every harping on about our starting 11 from last game until we made changes it was 3-3!!!!!
Lets go out know we are better man for man and play Giroud as well and bull dose Southampton.
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I hope Steve Bould instilled some sense into our fullbacks after the Newcastle game.
TR7 should be given a 25min game. The rest is fine.. Cannon’s blazing. 6-0 to Arsenal, Cazorla & Walcott brace, Poldi and Giroud.
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3 
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Players need a rest with key games coming up
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@youngold gunner
Why did you compare Walcott to Van Persie there. Van Persie has distributed his goals and assists over 18 out of 23 games. Walcott only 10 out of 19 games. Almost half the games Walcott didn’t score, assists.
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3 
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We lost to Bradford with our 1st team proving anyone has a very high chance of beating us.
Southampton will up their game because it’s us they’re playing.
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@Lee Pace,
We played without strikers against bradford.
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@Hass because walcott is only 23yo and its only his third spell as CF.And also has had a stop start season with injuries and most of his apps are cameo
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Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs
Arteta Wilshere
Chambo Rosicky Podolski
Giroud
Rest cazorla and sagna and cazorla
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0 
7
We should still approach this game mentally focus and don’t underestimate Southampton!but if we play like we did against the toon it will be another episode of the theo walcott and Olivier giroud show!coyg!!!
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4 
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The last time we said we would win easy it didnt happened Sothampton will not give an inch if we matched there desire our quality should win us the game
Hopefully we take the three
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6 
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Agreed Arsenal should be favorites but when does that mean anything? Southampton are not afraid of any team, and they are slowly improving! If Arsenal cant beat yet another struggling team then they have got character issues. Winning at St Mary”s will not prove any more than this 4 game winning run has already proven! It means Arsenal can beat struggling, injury hit, and tired teams!!!!!!
The real test is at Swansea on Saturday, a team Arsenal have not done at all well against, and I get the feeling they will earn it against the Swans yet again too?
Then it is Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool after that. Lets assess TW after that run of games. It is no secret that Arsenal have a lousy record against the top teams. Its been years since they have gotten even a point off of MU?? And last season apart, Chelsea have owned them too. Arsenal played really well at City this year but had to come from behind late to get a point when they should have had 3. Team defense is a real issue???
Sorry folks, when I see them display the type of desire to win that MU display, then maybe Arsenal will really turn the corner!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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6 
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0-1 will do me nicely thank you; not very likely given the way we defend…
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Arsenal need a weak but ok squad
Szczesny
Sagna Vermaelan Koscienly Gibbs
Arteta Wilshere
Arshavin Cazorla Podolski
Walcott
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Wee fans are so gulabule,we are not out of the woods yet,teams like southamton can play well on the day,take it from me we are going really strugle for the 4th spot which our manager says is a trophy.
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GOdwilling there will be goals st.marys studium. The job to be done by the same squad that beat new castle so that we confirm their ability.
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Arsenal all the way , predict 8-0
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