New Partey role, Merino first start and Nwaneri risk

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Arsenal take on Southampton in the Premier League looking to end this section of the season before the second international break of the campaign in the perfect way. The Gunners remain unbeaten and have now secured a big European scalp after their comfortable 2-0 victory over PSG a few days ago.

Southampton meanwhile arrive with a former player and a whole bunch of narratives in tow. Aaron Ramsdale is expected to make his first appearance against his former club and will be looking to keep his first clean sheet of the season having conceded ten goals in four matches.

This certainly bodes well for the Gunners who have relied on David Raya to start the season in perhaps the best form of his career which could even have pushed him into the number one spot for Spain too. Arteta needs to get the line-up right to get the points while taking an opportunity that presents itself to rotate. Thankfully, football.london’s writers are on hand to give their view of who should start.

Tom Canton

After the midweek effort against PSG coming so soon after the late drama with Leicester City, there is certainly scope for Mikel Arteta to make some changes and give other players some chances. The Spaniard brought on Myles Lewis-Skelly for an emotional Champions League debut, especially in his family’s corner who watched on from the stands, but it could be another Hale End graduate in focus this weekend.

The visit of a poor Saints side opens the door to the exciting Ethan Nwaneri to make his first Premier League start. His last two showings against Bolton Wanderers and Leicester provided plenty of calls from fans to see him play again and here could be the perfect opportunity.

With question marks over Ben White and Jurrien Timber at right back, a revisit to the beginning of last season’s structure offers one solution with Takehiro Tomiyasu’s availability not quite confirmed. Thomas Partey could indeed return to the role with Riccardo Calafiori then able to play at left-back.

READ MORE: Timber out, Tomiyasu return, Nwaneri call, Sterling decision - Arsenal changes vs Southampton

READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Aaron Ramsdale return, Timber fitness and Partey Arsenal future

This means another first Premier League start for one other player, Mikel Merino. He joins Nwaneri in midfield alongside Declan Rice.

Up top, Raheem Sterling gets his first league start too. He joined the obvious picks of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz allowing both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard some rest.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Southampton: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Nwaneri; Saka, Havertz, Sterling

Kaya Kaynak

If I were Mikel Arteta I'd be looking to take something of a gamble in defence. Even though Riccardo Calafiori did a good job at right back the other night, I would still be reticent to play him there from the start.

With that in mind I'm taking a gamble on the fitness of Takehiro Tomiyasu and starting him in this game. I don't want to risk either Ben White or Jurrien Timber and the idea of playing Thomas Partey at right back gives me horrible flashbacks to the start of last season.

I'm keeping the Ghanaian in midfield with that in mind after a good display against PSG. Declan Rice is the obvious pick alongside him, so Mikel Merino will need to wait for his full debut.

I'm not going to mess with this good thing that Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz have got going up top. Either side of them Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli deserve to stay in the team.

Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Southampton - Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Saka, Martinelli; Trossard, Havertz.

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