Mikel Arteta will be expecting a huge response from Arsenal as they look to reopen a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League by pushing Southampton to the brink of relegation. The Gunners have recently dropped four points in their quest to win the title for the first time in 19 years, having blown 2-0 leads at Liverpool and West Ham. Arteta will be hoping for a quickfire double against a Saints side who have only picked up eight points from the last 36 available. Arsenal are fully aware that a resounding victory will close the gap in goal difference with second-placed Manchester City.
Southampton have a better record away from home than at St Mary’s and won at Chelsea before drawing at Manchester United, but Arsenal are a different proposition. Fill your boots by backing them at 4/6 with Ladbrokes to lead HT/FT, lump on over 3.5 goals at 13/10 with Betfair and take Arteta’s team to win 4-0 at 10/1 with bet365. It wouldn’t be remiss to have smaller wagers on over 4.5 goals at 3/1 and a one-side affair to finish 5-0 at 18/1 with the same firms as this could get ugly. Bukayo Saka, who missed the crucial penalty against the Hammers, is a class act and can atone for that error by opening the scoring at 5/1 with William Hill. The England star is also 8/5 with Coral to hit the net at any time. Brighton’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United on Sunday could go to extra-time at 27/10 with SpreadEx, while Manchester City are 6/5 with Betfair to beat Sheffield United by over two goals on Saturday. Barnsley, Bolton, Ipswich and Plymouth form Saturday’s Football League yankee.