Timber out, first Premier League start for Kiwior | Expected Arsenal line-up (4-4-2) vs Southampton

Arsenal will be aiming for a second-straight Premier League win when they host Southampton at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

The Gunners are currently third in the league standings with 14 points, one adrift of leaders Liverpool, who face Crystal Palace in the early lunch-time kick-off.

Mikel Arteta’s side can go top of the table if the Reds fail to beat the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

The manager has revealed ahead of the game that Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu will undergo late fitness tests.

Formation: 4-4-2

Predicted Line-up:

David Raya has been in spectacular form in goal for the Gunners this term. He will be aiming for his fourth clean sheet of the top-flight campaign.

There could be an enforced change in defence. Timber was substituted at the interval against Paris Saint-Germain with a minor muscular issue.

He has also been left out of the Netherlands’ Nations League squad, which is probably a huge hint that he won’t be involved in today’s starting XI.

Riccardo Calafiori made his first-ever appearance at right back in the second half against PSG, and he could retain his place.

White and Tomiyasu may not be risked having just returned from respective injuries.

This would mean that Jakub Kiwior would make his first league start of the season at left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko injured.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are guaranteed starters in the heart of the defence.

Thomas Partey received huge praise from Arteta in the pre-match presser. The Spaniard said he is one of the most important players in the squad.

The Ghanaian will partner Declan Rice in the centre of the park, although Mikel Merino could displace him from the starting XI in the long run.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are assured starters on the flanks.

Arteta has gone with a front two of Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz to compensate for the ongoing absence of Martin Odegaard through injury.

The duo are expected to keep their places. Trossard delivered an inch-perfect cross for Havertz’s headed goal against Les Parisiens on Tuesday night.

How Arsenal will line up vs Southampton

Stats from Transfermarkt.com