Arsenal vs Southampton predictions: Fast-starting Gunners to thrash Saints

– Arsenal have scored twice in the first half in their last four games
– Southampton have conceded a joint-high seven first-half league goals
– Recommended bet: Arsenal over 1.5 first half goals

Arsenal were reliant on late heroics against Leicester last weekend but they should ease to victory against a Southampton side that looked primed for relegation this term.

The visiting Saints have picked up just one point from a possible 18 this season and were lambasted by manager Russell Martin after their dismal showing at Bournemouth on Monday.

Riccardo Calafiori recovered in time to start against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday and he could be involved again.

Mikel Merino returned from injury off the bench in midweek and Takehiro Tomiyasu is also nearing a return.

Ben White is a minor doubt, though, while Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Martin Odegaard are all sidelined for the Gunners.

Centre-back Jack Stephens will return for the visitors after being suspended for Monday’s trip to Bournemouth, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is out until early next year.

Kamaldeen Sulemana and Will Smallbone remain doubts for the trip to the Emirates.

Arsenal are unbeaten in all competitions this season.

Southampton are yet to win in the top flight this term.

The Saints have conceded 12 goals in their first six Premier League matches.

Arsenal have scored 13 competitive goals at The Emirates this season.

Arsenal looked to be cruising to another Premier League victory last weekend as they headed into the break 2-0 up against Leicester.

However, a James Justin double brought the Foxes back into the game and the title-chasing Gunners had to rely on 94th and 99th-minute goals to seal the three points in the end.

Still, the Foxes clash continued a recent trend of fast starts from Mikel Arteta’s side as it was the third game in succession in which Arsenal had scored twice in the first half.

Then they followed up with another couple of goals before the break in their 2-0 win over PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday.

This will come as bad news to Southampton, who remain in the bottom three after a lethargic performance at the Vitality Stadium on Monday.

Their 3-1 loss to Bournemouth drew public criticism from manager Martin, who accused his players of lacking fight and aggression.

All three of the Cherries’ goals were scored before half-time and they shipped twice before the break against Manchester United earlier in September, so the feeling is that Gunners could also be out of sight come the 45-minute mark on Saturday.

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