Arsenal team news: Arsene Wenger sweating over fitness of star centre-back
Southampton host Arsenal at the St Mary’s Stadium tonight in the Premier League. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 (GMT).
Arsene Wenger’s side cannot afford to drop any more points this season if they are to stand a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal currently find themselves in sixth place – six points – behind fourth placed Manchester City with a game in hand.
The Gunners come into the game in high spirits after recording a 2-0 win over their rivals Manchester United last weekend. However, Arsenal have won just one of their last six games away from home.
Southampton held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw last weekend but are without a victory in four games.
Ozil will be looking to add to his assist and goal tally following an impressive performance against the Red Devils. The 28-year-old has been included in Arsenal’s squad.
Arsenal provisional squad: Cech, Ospina, Martinez, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Maitland-Niles, Coquelin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Walcott, Iwobi, Sanchez, Perez, Welbeck, Giroud.
See More: Watch: Mesut Ozil involved in bizarre Carpool Karaoke, singing in Turkish after Arsenal victory over Man City
Arsenal injury news:
Laurent Koscielny is an injury doubt going into tonight’s encounter. The defender is currently struggling with a calf problem.
Wenger revealed Koscielny is a “fitness worry” during his press conferance yesterday.
Granit Xhaka and Lucas Perez are also injury doubts ahead of tonight’s clash.
Southampton injury news:
The Saints will be without Charlie Austin and star centre-back Virgil van Dijk.