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Arsenal team news: Predicted line-up for Southampton - Unai Emery opens up on crisis
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery has discussed the Gunners’ crisis heading into their clash with Southampton.
The Gunners face the Saints on Sunday afternoon.
However, Arsenal boss Emery faces a crisis ahead of the crunch Premier League clash.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi are both suspended, while Rob Holding is sidelined for the remainder of the season through injury.
Laurent Koscielny is set to return after a lengthy lay-off alongside Nacho Monreal at centre-back.
After his injuries he is coming back with good work and on Thursday he played with a good performance
On Koscielny’s potential return after an Achilles injury, Emery said: “We are doing with him this process after the big injuries.
“He started training with us, playing with the under-23s, and today was another step for him.
“For us and we need to know tomorrow and Saturday how he is going to feel after this match.
“If Sunday we can [play] him on the pitch.”
Southampton vs Arsenal: Premier League match preview
Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey are both expected to be fit to face Southampton on Sunday, however, the midfielders could be benched.
When asked if Ramsey will play, Emery said: “We think yes.
“The doctors say to me they think Friday or Saturday he can train and he will OK for Sunday.”
On Ozil, who was benched last month because Emery felt the German wouldn’t be physical enough, the Arsenal boss added: “I think after his injuries he is coming back with good work and on Thursday he played with a good performance.
“I think also he is OK for Sunday.”
A win for Arsenal could send the Gunners up to third in the Premier League.
Emery’s men can leapfrog both Chelsea and Tottenham.