Arsenal have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they face last-placed Southampton on Friday night.
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Arsenal vs Southampton predictions
How quickly the picture can change.
After a 4-1 thrashing of Leeds United on the first day of April, Arsenal restored their eight-point cushion at the summit of the Premier League standings.
Their fate was in their hands as Mikel Arteta attempted to deliver the club’s first title since 2004, when Arsene Wenger’s side memorably went unbeaten across 38 matches.
Manchester City were in fantastic form as they attempted to claw Arsenal back, but a run of seven wins on the bounce suggested the Gunners were not feeling the heat.
Needless to say, they are no longer sitting quite as comfortably in top spot as they prepare to welcome Southampton to the Emirates Stadium.
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While City have kept on winning – the champions have collected 25 points from the last 27 on offer – Arsenal have endured a mini-wobble.
There is no great shame in drawing 2-2 at Anfield, but the Premier League leaders let Liverpool back into that match having established a two-goal advantage.
Another lead of that size was wiped out last weekend, as Arsenal drew 2-2 with West Ham United. All of a sudden, City are the title favourites again.
Arsenal must not despair. They are still four points clear in first place, a scenario they would have gladly accepted at the beginning of the campaign.
But compared to a few weeks back, Arsenal will be feeling the pressure when they take to the field on Friday.
Arsenal vs Southampton betting tips
Arsenal should get the job done against Southampton to move seven points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
Arsenal to win to nil – 5/6 (bet365)
Up until the middle of March, Arsenal and Manchester City had conceded the same number of goals.
Fast forward a month and the Gunners have had their backline breached 31 times in 2022/23, compared to 28 for City.
It will be a worry for Arteta. Arsenal were in cruise control against Liverpool and West Ham, yet they allowed their opponents back into the game on both occasions.
The championship-chasing Gunners have now gone four matches without a clean sheet, while they have managed just one shut-out in their last six outings.
However, there is reason to believe that Aaron Ramsdale will not be picking the ball out of his net this weekend.
Rob Holding is a decent defender but he is not in William Saliba’s class, so the possibility of the Frenchman returning for Friday’s encounter is promising news in the red and white half of north London.
Arsenal will prioritise a clean sheet having gone a few matches without one, while Southampton are not exactly setting the world alight right now.
The Premier League’s bottom club drew a blank against Crystal Palace last weekend and have scored a grand total of one goal in their last five away games.
Arsenal to score in both halves – 8/11 (bet365)
The odds for this particular wager do not exactly leap off the page, but that does not mean it is not worthy of consideration.
Arsenal came flying out of the blocks at both Anfield and the London Stadium. That is something they have excelled at on the road this season.
The Gunners have been ahead at half-time in 10 of their 16 matches at opposition stadiums, and they have scored a league-high 19 goals on their travels from minutes one to 45.
Arsenal have typically been slower to get going on home turf, perhaps because opposition teams tend to sit deep and pack men behind the ball.
Even so, they have scored in the opening period in four of their last five home games. That bodes well for Friday’s contest against the Saints.
Under the floodlights at the Emirates, Arteta will encourage his team to make a fast start in a bid to draw first blood early on.
Southampton’s confidence is brittle and they may struggle to withstand the heavy pressure they are likely to be put under.
As their legs and minds tire as the game wears on, Southampton’s defending could grow a little ragged – thus giving Arsenal an opportunity to add to their tally.
Gabriel Jesus to score any time – 5/6 (bet365)
It was interesting to watch Gabriel Jesus’ movement during the draw with West Ham. In an attempt to help Arsenal regain control of the match, he dropped remarkably deep to get on the ball.
At one stage Arsenal’s striker was collecting possession from his central defenders. To all intents and purposes he was playing as a false nine.
The Brazilian is anything but a static centre-forward. He likes to move away from his markets, getting the ball in deeper zones and then driving forward.
On this occasion, though, Arteta will probably encourage Jesus to stay in and around the penalty area.
Arsenal are bound to dominate possession and Southampton will spend significant time camped inside their defensive third.
Jesus is not exactly a fox in the box but Arteta will want him to be on hand to convert crosses or cut-backs inside the area.
The former Manchester City man has nine goals to his name this term. The stage is set for Jesus to move into double figures.
How to watch Arsenal vs Southampton
- Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England.
- Date and time: Friday 21 April 2023, 8pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
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