Arsenal welcome a familiar face back to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as Aaron Ramsdale returns with Southampton.
The goalkeeper left the club over the summer in a deal worth up to £25million, a year after signing a new contract and then almost immediately losing his starting sport to David Raya.
It will prove another daunting task for Ramsdale and his Saints side, who remain winless after six games, as the Gunners look to keep pace with Premier League table-toppers Liverpool, who face Crystal Palace in the earlier kick-off.
The last time these two teams met in the league, they shared a 1-1 draw and a 3-3 draw, as the Gunners fell short in the title race. Mikel Arteta will know further dropped points will prove costly once again.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Arsenal vs Southampton is scheduled for a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday October 5, 2024.
The match will take place at Emirates Stadium.
Where to watch Arsenal vs Southampton
TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.30pm BST.
Arsenal vs Southampton team news
Both Ben White and Jurrien Timber are doubts ahead of the weekend. White missed the wins over Leicester and PSG entirely while Timber was replaced at half-time against the French giants.
In positive news, Mikel Merino returned from injury against PSG to make his long-awaited debut, and is in teh frame to get his first Premier League minutes under his belt against Saints. Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are longer-term absentees.
It’s as case of as you were for Southampton, with Gavin Bazunu, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jack Stephens and William Smallbone no closer to returns. As mentioned, Aaron Ramsdale will be facing his former club for the first time.
Arsenal vs Southampton prediction
Mikel Arteta will be well aware of the damaging results against Southampton in the previous two times these two teams met, but this Saints side do not appear to pose the same threat as the squad of two seasons ago despite being relegated.
More importantly, this Arsenal squad also looks far stronger than the team battling for the title in April 2023, so should have little problems recording another win this weekend.
The wobble against Leicester will be a concern, but the return of Mikel Merino to fitness is a boost in the midfield.
Arsenal to win, 3-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Arsenal wins: 53
Draws: 30
Southampton wins: 23
Arsenal vs Southampton match odds
Arsenal to win: 1/12
Draw: 7/1
Southampton to win: 18/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
