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Losing in the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City will have hurt Arsenal, who no doubt had designs on a historic quadruple this term.
But, that said, if the Gunners end the campaign with Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup triumphs under their belt, the 0-2 reverse at Wembley will be long forgotten.
This is a challenging week for Arteta, with Arsenal travelling to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League QF on Tuesday before hosting Bournemouth in a key Premier League encounter a week on Saturday.
Truth be told, he could probably do without the trip to Southampton on Saturday evening (20:00 GMT kick off).
As for the Saints, they too have bold ambitions this term of a play-off place in the Championship. However, you suspect they won’t give this cup clash with Arsenal anything less than their full attention… can the same be said of the Gunners?
Southampton v Arsenal Tips
Southampton +2 Handicap @ 20/21 (bet365)
Both Teams to Score @ 10/11 (bet365)
Kai Havertz to Score Anytime @ 13/10 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
All Saints Day
Given the importance of Arsenal’s week ahead, not to mention some injuries in the camp, you wonder if having Southampton on side here in some way is the smart move.
The Gunners had a catalogue of players miss the international break, with the assumption being that some of them will be rested for this clash.
Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino will certainly miss out, while you suspect that Arteta will be in no rush to field the likes of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard if they are still struggling with knocks.
The upshot is that an unfamiliar Arsenal eleven may take to the field at the St Mary’s Stadium… something that will have the Saints chomping at the bit for an upset.
Tip: Southampton +2 Handicap @ 20/21 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Southampton win, draw or lose by a one goal margin.
Goals on the Agenda
Punters who don’t necessarily follow the Championship may not know that Southampton are unbeaten since January 17.
Confidence is flowing through their camp, hence the late promotion push, and you’d imagine they’ll have no fear of taking on Arsenal – especially if, as expected, Arteta rings the changes to his team.
Southampton have scored two or more goals in five of their last eight Championship games, as well as finding the net at Craven Cottage in their FA Cup fifth round win over Fulham.
The bookmakers are pricing BTTS as if a full-strength Arsenal side will contest this cup clash… that seems highly unlikely in the circumstances.
Tip: Both Teams to Score @ 10/11 (bet365)
Explanation: To land, both teams simply have to score – the final result is not otherwise important.
Shuffling the Pack
Possible injuries to Saka, Noni Madueke and Leandro Trossard, allied to the fact that Gabriel Martinelli was still in the USA with Brazil as of Wednesday, suggest that Kai Havertz will start this game.
He’s a juicy price to find the net at any time, having notched for Germany against Ghana in midweek and against former club Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League in March.
A possible penalty taker, it might just be worth having Havertz on side for this game.
Tip: Kai Havertz to Score Anytime @ 13/10 (bet365)
Explanation: Havertz simply has to score at any point during the game (normal time only – extra time and/or penalties won’t count).
Southampton vs Arsenal: Match result odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.