5 Southampton stars who could hurt Arsenal on Saturday
It has seemed like an absolute eternity since Arsenal were last in Premier League action against Watford but to be honest, a lot has happened since then in reality.
Having concluded deals for both Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez’s respective arrivals from La Liga before several Arsenal stars jetted off around the globe to take part in World Cup Qualifiers, it’s now back down to the nitty gritty of the Premier League.
In many ways, Arsenal fans shouldn’t be treating Saturday’s afternoon meeting with Southampton too lightly with the Saints going unbeaten against Arsene Wenger’s men last season.
Absolutely thrashing the Gunners 4-0 at St Mary’s Stadium on Boxing Day ahead of drawing 0-0 at Emirates Stadium in February, Arsenal didn’t even score against Southampton last year with Fraser Forster in exquisite form.
Of course, things have changed on the south coast since then too with Claude Puel now in charge of Southampton following Ronald Koeman’s decision to defect to Everton.
A manager whom Arsene Wenger will know well from French football circles, everybody here at Arsenal Mania hopes our boys can outfox the Saints come Saturday afternoon.
But in the meantime, here are FIVE Southampton players who could prove match-winners for the visiting side on Saturday.
Shane Long
Scoring a brace against Arsenal in that game that ruined most Gooners’ Christmas over the festive period last term, Shane Long always seems to experience joy against Arsene Wenger’s men.
A player who is quite simply bang average in the eyes of Arsenal supporters, Gooners shouldn’t underestimate the Irishman’s work ethic and desire to chase down lost causes that proved too much for the Gunners’ defence last season.
Fit and ready to contribute to Claude Puel’s cause, Rob Holding or even new boy Shkodran Mustafi could be in for an interesting afternoon.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
A lesser known name to Gooners but somebody who has already represented Bayern Munich’s first team in his fledgling career is Danish international Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
A summer arrival from the Allianz Arena, the 21-year-old is a powerful 6 ft 1 in presence in the Saints’ midfield and Claude Puel has been quick to call upon his services.
Particularly impressive in Southampton’s first away game of the season up at Manchester United, there were stages in the game where Højbjerg was controlling the play despite his years.
Clearly somebody who is only going to get better after impressive against a side of United’s calibre, Granit Xhaka will relish the opportunity to battle the Danish star in central midfield.
Nathan Redmond
A familiar Premier League name now having spent a three-year stint at Norwich City, Nathan Redmond started his Southampton career with a bang on the opening day of the season.
Scoring against Watford at St Mary’s Stadium last month, Redmond has become used to playing as a withdrawn striker under Claude Puel’s system.
Typically a winger who would play off the flanks in his time spent at both Birmingham City and Norwich, Redmond boasts the pace to play along any of the attacking positions and given he may float in and out of different positions during the 90 minutes, communication will prove vital across that Arsenal defence.
Fraser Forster
Okay so Fraser Forster isn’t an outfield player but he proved last year that he could hurt the Gunners tenfold with a string of unbelievable saves to thwart Arsene Wenger’s men despite the odds in that 0-0 draw in North London.
An absolute giant between the sticks, Forster will feel that he can get ahead of Joe Hart in the England goalkeeping pecking order this season and if he produces heroics like he did last season, there is no reason why this can’t become reality.
The thing with Forster and any goalkeeper for that matter is that Arsenal need to grab an early goal because as we saw last season, Forster grew in confidence and stature with every continued save.
Charlie Austin
While Southampton supporters are still waiting to see the best of Charlie Austin who was prolific in spells at Burnley and QPR of course, he’s still a worthy striker on his day.
Claude Puel with have decisions to make because Jay Rodriguez is also back in the fold now following his lengthy lay off but Austin gives the Frenchman another option.
It could easily be a front two of Nathan Redmond and Shane Long against the Gunners on Saturday but Austin will be looked upon as somebody who could possible change the game from the bench.
After all, his only Premier League goal for the Saints came from the exact source when arriving onto the field to head a late winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford last season.