Unavailable:
Southampton – Forster, Gardoş, Rodriguez
Arsenal – Sánchez,
Cazorla, Coquelin, Wilshere, Rosický,
Welbeck, Arteta
One could forgive Ronald Koeman for clinging
to the cliché of “form is temporary, class is permanent”. As the Dutchman’s
side continue to falter though, he has been remarkably honest about the predicament
they currently find themselves in – it can now de defined as a rut. Prior to
the Tottenham game last week, he urged that his team must pick up points
against their London adversaries over the Christmas flurry of games, however
they were undone by two astounding defensive lapses at the end of the first
half that left Koeman slating his men in post-match interviews. The manager
labelled his players as “naïve”, “too nice” and amateurish, citing a need to
seek out the “killing mentality” that Spurs displayed so ruthlessly.
Yet he also realises that it is natural for
his own position to be under scrutiny after such a run of form in the Premier
League – particularly in a merciless climate where Garry Monk and José Mourinho
have been relieved of their respective duties. Like the Saints boss, both men
enjoyed a fine 2014/15 season, however they met a sticky end this winter.
However, it would be unimaginable that Koeman should receive his P45 in the
immediate future, and he merits the necessary time to halt this worrying slump
which can most likely be attributed to a lack of confidence – not a shortfall
in quality within the squad.
A shift in formation may be a welcome change
on Saturday night though. Koeman has suggested that he will adopt a more conservative
stance to compress the attack of opponents Arsenal, and deny them the space to
counter-attack, however it is just the opposite that may be required to unearth
the Gunners’ defensive frailties.
Against the “big boys”, Koeman has typically sent
Sadio Mané out to support Graziano Pellè in the No 10 role, yet surely it would
be beneficial to let the Senegalese run off the shoulder of Per Mertesacker who
wouldn’t relish a foot race with the pacey forward. Despite their recent form
which has been admirable and perhaps ratified their ability to clinch the
Premier League trophy in May, there is always the potential that Arsenal could
implode at any given moment. Saints should test that possibility, rather than
allowing the Gunners to attack from the off at St Mary’s.
Although in adversity due to injuries, Arsène
Wenger seems to have grasped the notion of a more pragmatic style which should
result in more points for his charges. His ideology of pure football untainted
by long balls has fuelled football that has left supporters drooling in the early
part of the season when their team turns it on against a lowly opponent on a
sunny day at the Emirates – but it has also been dismantled on a rainy day in springtime.
That is a stereotype, but it has come to pass like clockwork year on year since
their short move from Highbury. This season, an equilibrium has been discovered
that allows Wenger’s side to mix that sumptuous style with the gritty work
required to earn a title. If Southampton are to grab a point or three, they
will have to upset that new-found balance.
Key
Battles
Van
Dijk v Giroud: Along
with Steven Davis, Virgil van Dijk would probably deserve to be acknowledged as
Southampton’s best player of the season so far, however he was undoubtedly at
fault last weekend as Saints capitulated shortly before half-time against Spurs.
His reckless challenge on Harry Kane where he swung his right leg but evaded
both ball and player allowed the England international to stroll through to the
Chapel End goal, before slotting home. On Saturday evening, he will have to
contend with Olivier Giroud who has finally been handed the praise that his
performances warrant. The Frenchman is a complete forward who can finish well,
but also acts as a spearhead who can engineer space for others to break into.
Van Dijk will need to be wily and communicate well with José Fonte to combat
that threat.
Soares
v Campbell: The
Portuguese right-back was also criticised last week after he let Dele Alli
totter unchallenged into the back post to slide the ball past the helpless
Paulo Gazzaniga who was grounded. Yet throughout the course of this season, it
can easily be argued that he has displayed superior form in comparison with his
left sided counterpart Ryan Bertrand, who has not impressed in the last couple
of months. The Portuguese international’s ability to roar down the right wing
is underrated, as is his tenacious approach to defending which has improved
significantly since his move from Sporting Lisbon. On Saturday night, he will
face Joel Campbell who has excelled this season in the absence of first-team regulars.
A striker at heart but disciplined in tracking back, Soares will be challenged
by the Costa Rican.
Possible
Line-ups
Southampton:
Stekelenburg
– Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Wanyama, Romeu, Clasie – S. Davis,
Pellè, Mané
Gazzaniga, Yoshida, Long, Tadić, Ward-Prowse,
Juanmi, Targett
Arsenal:
Čech
– Bellerín, Mertesacker (C), Koscielny, Monreal – Flamini, Ramsey – Walcott, Özil,
Campbell – Giroud
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