Alexandre Lacazette is missing from the squad, with Eddie Nketiah leading the line for Arsenal against Southampton, while Nuno Tavares plays left-back.
Mikel Arteta has made two notable changes to the team that lost to Brighton & Hove Albion last week as the Arsenal boss brings in Nuno Tavares at left-back and starts with Eddie Nketiah upfront. Granit Xhaka goes back into the midfield double-pivot, alongside Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Alexandre Lacazette is missing as expected after missing a few days of training, including all sessions on Friday. The Frenchman’s absence has provided Martin Odegaard with the chance to captain Arsenal for the first time.
Aaron Ramsdale starts in goal with a back four protecting the goal in front of him. Cedric Soares starts again at right-back in the continued absence of Takehiro Tomiyasu, while Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes continue to marshal the heart of the Arsenal defence. Tavares comes back into the left-back slot after being resigned to the bench in the previous encounter.
? TEAM NEWS!
?? Tavares returns to the XI
?? Odegaard captains the side
??????? Nketiah starts up front#SOUARS— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 16, 2022
Xhaka returns to his customary central midfield slot, with Albert Sambi Lokonga partnering the former Arsenal captain in the midfield area. Martin Odegaard is allowed to move back into a more advanced role after struggling to impact the game from a deeper position in the previous match.
Bukayo Saka takes the right-sided attacking role, with Gabriel Martinelli operating down the left side of the front three. Nketiah is preferred to lead the line for Arsenal against Southampton in Lacazette’s absence. Emile Smith Rowe is only good enough for a place on the bench, with Nicolas Pepe the more high profile option there.
Arsenal Starting Lineup: Ramsdale, Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Lokonga, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Nketiah
