Arsenal will be looking to kick start the New Year on a positive note, as they travel to St Mary’s to face Ronald Koeman’s Southampton on Thursday.

After a stuttering start to the campaign, Arsenal have hit another gear and are currently level on points with the Saints in fourth place. The confidence within the camp is high following back-to-back wins against QPR and West Ham, so a victory here would not only put them in a strong position but add psychological boost as well. 

Very few have expected Southampton to be in this place, after they lost so many top players in the summer. Under new manager Koeman, the Saints have gone strength to strength and are coming into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Chelsea. 

Team News: Arsenal will be without Olivier gird who remains suspended, while Danny Welbeck is doubtful after he picked up a minor thigh injury at Upton Park, but he is likely to start. 

Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Mesut Ozil are all out while Ramsey still needs time to fully recover from his hamstring injury. 

Tomas Rosicky could get a game after being rested in the last match while Flamini will continue to anchor the midfield zone. 

Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal