Kick-off: 2000, 21/04/2023
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Arsenal’s faltering title challenge is in big need of a boost when they entertain bottom club Southampton at Emirates Stadium on Friday.
The Gunners have dropped points in their last couple of games at Liverpool and West Ham, blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 each time.
There can be no easing off if in front here, so 13/10 for a home win by at least three goals is our first Arsenal vs Southampton prediction.
Gunners urged to be more ruthless
Arsenal have the chance to go seven points clear if successful against the Saints, but will still be second favourites to win the league.
Defending champions Manchester City head the betting, as they will have two games in hand ahead of hosting the Gunners next Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta’s men were fortunate to escape from Anfield with a point, as Mohamed Salah missed a penalty for Liverpool, who also went close twice late on.
At London Stadium, it was Bukayo Saka who sent a spot-kick wide when 2-1 up and the Gunners paid the price.
Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard had put them in control after just 10 minutes, but Said Benrahma scored a penalty and Jarrod Bowen equalised.
“We started extremely well again, dominated the game, dominated the pitch and scored two beautiful goals, and after that we made a huge mistake,” said Arteta.
“We stopped playing with the purpose to score a third and fourth one. It looked too easy. We gave them hope and, credit to West Ham, they took it.
“We need that ruthless mindset to go kill a team and today we haven’t done it.”
On the plus side, Arsenal are now second only to Aston Villa in terms of goals scored in the first quarter of an hour with 10.
They netted after 11 minutes when visiting St Mary’s earlier this season and are 11/5 to hit the target inside 15:00 in the Arsenal vs Southampton odds.
Last Arsenal line-up: Ramsdale, Tierney, White, Gabriel, Holding, Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Saints on the slide
Southampton are propping up the table after going six games without a win since shading fellow strugglers Leicester at home.
They have drawn a blank up front four times in subsequent matches and suffered a third straight defeat when going down 2-0 to Crystal Palace at St Mary’s.
Saints were the better team in the first half but were largely toothless in attack, as Joe Aribo and Theo Walcott wasted early openings.
Carlos Alcaraz later hit the inside of the left post after Eberechi Eze’s decisive brace for the Eagles.
“We need to move on again quickly, we’ve got a very big game,” Walcott told Southampton’s website ahead of facing his former club.
“Obviously, they’re all big now but we need to do that cliche of focusing on the next game…that’s all we can do now as players.”
Southampton have managed four away wins this term but with just nine goals scored from 15 road trips, this looks a daunting test.
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli head the goalscorer markets for Arsenal, but defender Gabriel Magalhaes has had some memorable moments in this fixture!
The Brazilian netted against Saints at this venue last term, having scored an own goal and been sent off during the previous season’s encounters.
Let’s finish off our Arsenal vs Southampton betting tips by taking 6/1 for him to hit the back of the net at any time on this occasion.
Last Southampton line-up: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Maitland-Niles, Bednarek, Kotchap, Ward-Prowse, Sulemana, Walcott, Lavia, Aribo, Alcaraz.
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