When we collapsed during the final stages of the 22/23 campaign, a 3-3 draw with Southampton at the Emirates was one of the final nails in our coffin.
A game we were widely expected to win against the struggling Saints, we simultaneously gave up soft goals at one end while spurning golden opportunities at the other.
It was a lamentable watch. After such a gutsy campaign, to throw it all away against meagre opposition was painful and left a particularly bitter taste in the mouth as Manchester City swooped in to take the league title.
It wasn’t the sole reason we lost out on the league title that year but it stands out to me above a lot of other results simply because it was a game I think a lot of us expected to canter.
I see a lot of parallels between that game and the fixture coming up at the Emirates stadium today as we again welcome a struggling Southampton side to north London.
We’re at completely opposite ends of the season this time around, of course, but the relative fortunes of the two sides feel similar. Southampton are in desperate need of a win to boost what appears a hopeless campaign while Arsenal are looking to cement their credentials as title challengers.
This time around, there’s no room for mistakes. It’s time to bury the ghosts of that season.
Thankfully, we’re a much better side in 24/25 than we were a few seasons ago and that gives me hope. We’re more resilient, sturdier in defence, better at managing games and prepared for all eventualities. We don’t panic now, we simply regroup.
However, as the visit of Leicester City last weekend showed us, there are no cheap giveaways in the Premier League. Teams will fight for every point at all stages of the season. Southampton will be ready to spring a surprise.
Although it would be nice to see from rotation from the manager, I fear the chances are slim. With the international break looming large, he will view this as a chance to get a final 90 minutes out of his players. In an ideal world, we will take a 3-0 lead by half-time and the likes of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who are almost certain to play 90 minutes for England, can be withdrawn. Again, however, I don’t think we’ll have it that easy.
For that reason, I expect we’ll see the same side that started against PSG in midweek, notwithstanding any injuries.
On that front, I don’t expect to see Jurrien Timber after he suffered a muscular injury and it feels unlikely we’ll see Ben White either.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, who the manager said was nearing a return to action, I think will also miss out but a place on the bench is possible.
I would also imagine Mikel Merino will start on the bench as his transition into a starting berth continues. Thomas Partey has been pretty good this season but I don’t think he will keep the Spaniard at bay for too much longer. Who knows, perhaps the manager will start the two together and give Rice a rest!
Elsewhere, it’ll be very much as you were. I would like to see Raheem Sterling, however. He didn’t get on in midweek against PSG and that felt like a surprise. Hopefully, he’ll be given an opportunity today to show what he can offer because I think he can be a significant contributor this season.
Of utmost importance, though, is controlling the game and scoring our chances. If we can’t cut out the sort of chaos that has proven so costly to us before, we can head into the break in a strong position. Who knows, we might even find ourselves top.
But we have to win first. Aaron Ramsdale may be returning to the Emirates for the first time since he was sold but there will be no room for cosy reunions, he will be every bit as determined to win as we are and we must take away his ability to cause an upset.
There are no easy wins!
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