Confirmed team news for Southampton v Arsenal at St Mary’s.
Southampton face Arsenal at St. Mary’s on new years day in a crucial clash for both in their individual races for the top four and Champions League football.
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Ronald Koeman makes three changes from their festive fixture draw with Chelsea at St Mary’s with Florin Gardos and Ryan Betrand returning to the starting XI and James Ward-Prowse replacing the suspended Morgan Schneiderlin.
#SaintsFC team vs @Arsenal: Forster, Alderweireld, Fonte (c), Gardos, Bertrand, Wanyama, S. Davis, Ward-Prowse, Tadi?, Mané, Pellè.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 1, 2015
#SaintsFC substitutes vs @Arsenal: K. Davis (GK), Yoshida, Long, Isgrove, Reed, McCarthy, Targett.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 1, 2015
Arsenal meanwhile are able to field their first choice back four for the first time this season. Coquelin, Chambers and Oxlade-Chamberlain make up a young and interesting midfield for the Gunners.
Tomas Rosicky is back in the starting XI after sitting out against West Ham, replacing the injured Danny Welbeck.
Arsenal XI v Southampton: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Chambers, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Rosicky, Alexis
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 1, 2015
Still no start for Theo Walcott who is on the bench once again, as are Arsenal youngsters Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Chuba Akpom.
#Arsenal subs: Martinez, Monreal, Bellerin, Maitland-Niles, Campbell, Walcott, Akpom #SFCvAFC
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 1, 2015
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