Arsenal vs Southampton preview: It's Giroud's turn now

After the international break and the absence of premier league action last weekend, this weekend promises to bring back the excitement. Arsenal fans will be in high spirits after a thumping performance in their last game at Anfield, with 2 of the 3 summer signings, Cazorla and Podolski both finding the net. Arsenal had a good record against Southampton before the Saints were relegated at the end of the 2004-05 season.

Eyes will be on Olivier Giroud for more reasons than one. Not only is he the only summer signing yet to open his account for the gunners, but the illustrious history of the previous strikers who have opened their league account against Southampton should provide enough incentive for the handsome Frenchman to do everything he possibly can to try and score. The previous notable names who opened their account against Southampton are Arsenal legend and top goalscorer of the club Thierry Henry, previous top scorer Ian Wright, the classy dutchman Dennis Bergkamp, and the not-so-classy dutchman Robin van Persie.

Several Arsenal players were involved with their respective countries during the international break, but there aren’t any new additions to the injury list for Arsenal. The only concern is Abou Diaby, with manager Arsene Wenger claiming the midfielder’s chances are “50/50″ to start on Saturday. With Diaby putting in sensational performances since the start of the season, it should not come as a surprise if Wenger decides to be cautious and rests him for the game, especially keeping in mind the upcoming midweek Champions League fixture. Arsenal’s No.1 goalkeeper Wojciech Sczesny returns after missing 2 games due to injury, and should replace Vito Mannone in front of the goal. The main thinking point for Arsene will be to decide on the defensive partnership. While Vermaelen and Mertesacker have looked solid, Koscielny is an able deputy for Mertesacker, and will certainly feature midweek, if not on Saturday. Though not having played a match for quite long, concerns about his match fitness may prompt Wenger to deploy him alongside captain Vermaelen on Saturday itself, to try him out.

The Southampton side put in a spirited performance 2 weeks ago against Manchester United, and were extremely unlucky not to have collected any points from that game, owing to a late RvP hat-trick. They seemed dangerous from the wings, particularly from the right, and it was ultimately Jason Puncheon’s cross from the right, which Lambert headed in to give Southampton the early lead. Arsenal’s vulnerability to crosses was highlighted way too often last season, and the ones preceding the last, but under Steve Bould, they may be able to handle those crosses better. Nonetheless, it is clear that Southampton will be hopeful of getting something from the game, and they rarely show lack of ambition.

Predicted Lineups:

Arsenal:

Sczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Podolski, Chamberlain, Giroud

Southampton:

Kevin Davis, Daniel Fox, Hooiveld, Fonte, Nathaniel Clyne, Lallana, Puncheon, Ward-Prowse, Schneiderlin, Steven Davis, Rickie Lambert

Author’s score prediction

Arsenal 2-0 Southampton

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Time: Saturday, 15/09/2012 at 7:30 GMT

Arsenal stats against Southampton

Played	Wins	Draws	Losses	For	Against	GD
79	41	22	16	131	79	52