Arsenal vs Southampton: 3 key players to watch | Premier League 2018/19

Posted on February 23, 2019

Arsenal return to Premier League duties after knocking out BATE Borisov over the couple of legs of Europa League to get into the last sixteen and will face French side Rennes therein.

Emirates Stadium will host Southampton on Sunday afternoon as Unai Emery & Co. seek revenge for ending their twenty-two game unbeaten run at St. Mary’s earlier this season. That defeated started the pathway to some uneven roads for the Gunners although a win on Sunday would set them on a pathway towards a ‘Top Four Finish’ as the conclusion of season draws near.

Arsenal host Southampton and Bournemouth in successive matches, while Manchester United face Liverpool and Chelsea play Spurs. Two wins here could just put them right into the thick of the top-four mix.

But all of it has to start with beating Southampton on Sunday. Here are three key players in the Red and Whites you just cannot take your eyes off;

Denis Suarez

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Gooners expected Denis to come straight into Arsenal’s squad after arriving from Barcelona, but he has had it difficult to get himself lined up in the tunnel just before the kick-off. Whether he is given green light to do so this Sunday or not, he will be an interesting prospect to keep an eye on. Denis has just not made an impact he would have aspired to.

Howbeit, we have had some brief glimpses from the bench, and to be honest – there have been some mixed signs, one of concern and another purely giving sense of thrill and excitement.

Denis Suarez had a poor run on his debut against Manchester City, giving away the ball time and time again and physically just not up for it, with all said he did look to have his feet finally rolling on Thursday versus BATE Borisov (Yes, finally his Home Debut).

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Suarez will have eyes on him from everywhere, Denis is not only in for himself but also has to fight and do enough to secure a permanent move to north London in the summer.

Arsenal have an option to get him on permanent basis which they can avail at/before the end of his six-month loan period but Denis has to impress enough to actually splash the cash. Although as of now, he has not shown enough – Perhaps that changes coming Sunday.

Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal’s first leg defeat fire was added in fury after Alexandre Lacazette got a straight red for a reckless challenge in a 1-0 loss against Belarus giants FC BATE in UEFA Europa League. The feeble and naive attempt did not cost Arsenal as Unai Emery has been increasingly using a lone-striker system of late, and he did so on Thursday playing Aubameyang as a striker.

Lacazette was forced to watch the second leg from the stands. Things got bad to worse as UEFA have extended the ban to three games – meaning the Frenchman will miss the entire last-16 tie.

But he will be available for the match against Southampton this weekend in Premier League and has a perfect stage to convert his frustration into goals and much more.

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MESUT OZIL

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After all the undeserved criticism he has received from Unai Emery and his staff, Mesut Ozil was back for Arsenal against BATE and you would argue WHY a player of that quality is treated oddly by Arsenal’s new head coach and his staff.

Ozil has struggled with form (he can’t have any, if he does not play) and consistency but as I stated earlier, he can’t have any of those unless he is given a chance on regular basis.

Although I don’t expect him to start two matches in a row, the Gunners will have to find a creative spark from somewhere. Ralph Hasenhhuttl’s Southampton are likely to come in compact at the Emirates, looking to surprise the Gunners’ in behind the defence on counter attacks.

And Unai Emery’s side have shown lack of craftiness and ingenuity in the final third on regular basis and if one player can individually restore all of it – he is Mesut Ozil. If Eery’s side dominate the possession in and around Southampton’s penalty area it is likely than not that Mesut will come up with something to give them a decent chance on target.

“His spirit like today is good and his quality and capacity and combination with some players is good,” said Emery after Arsenal’s win against BATE. “I think we need every player, and playing Mesut was important and positive.”

Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi went on to describe Ozil as “world class” hoping the 2014 World Cup winner can “keep on playing”.

“We know what Mesut’s like because we see him in training every day,” he told BT Sport.

“We scored three goals as a result of him playing. I know if I make a run he has the vision to find me.”

Everyone will have their eyes laid on him and How does he respond to the challenge Emery has laid down before him? Hopefully this Sunday, we will get another chance to witness his brilliance.