*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
If you believe in symbolism, or you’re forced to because your other half makes you read the horoscopes in the mornings, then Arsenal and Southampton is the footballing pinnacle.
There’s two points between them, but they’re in different halves of the table and right now there may as well be an entire world between them in terms of morale, matching ambitions and confidence on the ball.
Tuesday, 8.15pm: Southampton v Arsenal
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Both have subscribed to long-term plans with their current bosses and while one seems to be paying off (albeit with a blip), the other seems to be going south (albeit with a recent surge in production).
It’s tantalising, confusing and somewhat hilarious but this game could, symbolically at least, change the course of their respective seasons.
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Should Southampton land three points, they’re right back on course to achieve an above-expectations finish and can carry that positivity going forward.
If Arsenal lose, they’re back in conversations concerning Leeds and Crystal Palace rather than Everton and Spurs.
Is a draw a good result for either side? Probably not given they’ll be confident the other is a soft touch and they should be ‘beating those kinds of teams’ if they’re to progress as expected.
Here’s a Bet Builder to whet your appetite.
Football tips: West Ham to seal our 22/1 Premier League Double on Tuesday
Arsenal to Win
This new-found confidence could work wonders for Mikel Arteta in terms of saving his job. And I don’t say Arteta by accident. Arsenal won’t benefit whatsoever from these results because they’ll be more inclined to stick with the Spaniard now and these points are, well, pointless in the grand scheme of things.
They’re winning games without playing well and they’re still unnecessarily crossing the ball to nobody and hoping it works out.
Their short-term success can be best summated by the fact a win here gets them into the top half – and this is the Premier League equivalent of going 8-8 in the NFL. You’re not good enough to be content nor are you bad enough to make wholesale changes.
Arsenal have out-Arsenaled themselves here, and they’ll continue to do so with a win at Southampton.
Both Teams to Score – No
Southampton have netted just once since Theo Walcott opened the scoring for the Gunners back on December 16 and incredibly, that was Danny Ings’ winner against Liverpool.
With the Saints stuttering in front of goal, it seems that Arsenal, who are on the back of a run of four clean sheets in the league, are set for another one.
Did you read that in Khaled’s voice? Same.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Score Anytime
The streakiest striker in the Premier League is on-form after ripping Newcastle asunder and he’s maybe the best marksman in the top flight when he hits this purple patch. It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does, they can ride him to three points more often than not.
Aubameyang to Have Two or More Shots on Target
And that’s the thing with him – it doesn’t necessarily matter about the service he’s getting.
It’s been sub-par to put it kindly, but he just shoots on sight when he’s got confidence and that’s good enough.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Southampton v Arsenal bet summary – Tuesday, January 26
Arsenal to Win
Both Teams to Score – No
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Score Anytime
Aubameyang to Have Two or More Shots on Target
These four selections in a Bet Builder acca will pay out at approximately 12/1 with Paddy Power
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