Arsenal host Southampton at the Emirates on Tuesday night looking to end a three-game winless Premier League streak that threatens to damage their title hopes.
While the Gunners did bounce back with a win over Burnley in the FA Cup at the weekend, Arsene Wenger will be desperate to see his side get their title bid back on track against a side that they suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to not so long ago.
Their opponents have the benefit of not having played for nine days which will have given Ronald Koeman’s men a significant rest as they now look to build on their win over Manchester United at Old Trafford last time out.
SEE MORE:
Southampton line up shock loan move for Arsenal star
Wenger gives update on Wilshere injury
Man United plotting last-minute raid on Arsenal
Nevertheless, Wenger will be confident heading into the encounter as Per Mertesacker returns from his one-game suspension, while Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil should all return to the starting line-up after being rested.
However, the biggest positives for Wenger will have been seeing Francis Coquelin and Alexis Sanchez start against Sean Dyche’s men, and this will be a crucial game for the Gunners to prove that when they’re at full strength, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Having slipped three points adrift of league leaders Leicester City, Arsenal will be desperate to get back to winning ways with Sanchez hoping to play a pivotal role in their resurgence after scoring the winner at the weekend.
