Match Preview: Southampton vs Arsenal ( A huge test awaits us..)

Arsenal make a trip to St. Mary's today to keep a date with Southampton. When these two sides met earlier in the season Southampton gave us a damn good game. I recall watching that game and saying to my mate about the visitors ''These guys can play''. Such was the good account they gave of themselves in that game at the Emirates and look,  if it weren't  for some goalkeeping clownishness from Boruc that game might not have ended as heartwarming as it did. In recent days they have suffered some poor results. I was particularly disappointed with their performance in the home loss to Tottenham, i didn't feel they did themselves justice in that game. But as any seasoned watcher of this League will tell you, you are only as good as your performance on the day. That goes for every team in the division, doesn't matter if you are sitting pretty at the Top of the pile or you are one of the basement strugglers. Their Manager, Pochettino will be the first to tell you he is quite happy to be the underdog in this game. That toga will suit him just fine. His team are only just recovering from a bad Christmas spell where they only won 1 game in 6 spanning Dec 14th to Jan 1 after surprising everyone by flying out of the blocks at the start of the season.

So who are the Saints Danger Men we have to look out for? There's the exciting Adam llalana who plays behind the battering center forward Ricky Lambert known for his dead ball ability.... Not forgetting Jay Rodriguez who operates from the Left but loves to cut in on his trusty Right foot. These three forward men are individually talented players and do not necessarily depend on being spoon fed by their Midfield. They are comfy dropping deep and complementing each other in tight games. Our back four have been great all season (apart from that hellish Etihad afternoon) and will do well to watch these live wire forward men.

We have a chance to pull clear of Mancity and Chelsea with a win, and in so doing , pile pressure on them before their games Wednesday. We are expecting a return for Ramsey and Arteta but looks like Jack will not be involved due to a whack he sustained vs Coventry. 3 points will be what the doctor ordered as we move into a daunting February and March. We have the quality no doubt but will we show the required desire to out-slug the Hosts? Time will tell.. C'mon Arsenal