Seven facts you need to know about Southampton vs Arsenal

Football FanCast

By Sam Cox

Published Dec 26, 2015

In the final Boxing Day game, the Saints host Arsenal and it could be a massive game for the Gunners.

With Alexis Sanchez still unavailable through injury, Arsenal have found some strong form of late and have the opportunity to go top of the table with a victory here; thanks to a defeat for Leicester this afternoon.

Arsene Wenger's side are building on their successive FA Cup successes and may well not get a better chance to win the title than they have this season.

Ozil's brilliant has been well publicised, and we can be sure Southampton will look to man mark the playmaker, whilst Southampton have been plodding along in the relative comfort and stress-free life of mid-table football.

Ronald Koeman is finally feeling the effects of selling so many players during the last couple of summers and this game will be one of their hardest fixtures of the season.

Here are SEVEN facts you must know before kick off...

Gunning Supreme

Arsenal have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Southampton (W6 D4 L1).

The Gunners boast a very good head-to-head with the Saints over the last 11 meetings and it looks as though they will carry on that streak.

Giroud playing away

Arsenal v Liverpool - Barclays Premier League

Olivier Giroud has scored in five of Arsenal’s last six Premier League away matches.

Giroud is one of Europe's form strikers at the moment and it would be worth a flutter on him to carry on that streak!

Saints go easy on the Turkey

Southampton have lost just one of their last seven Barclays Premier League games played on Boxing Day (W3 D3 L1).

Koeman will be hoping that his side can continue their strong festive record, despite facing one of Europe's best.

Dodgy Advent

Southampton have picked up just one point in their last five Premier League matches (D1 L4).

December has been a poor period for Koeman's side and they are at risk of dropping into the battling lower echelons of the table.

Gunners firing Away

Arsenal have won the most Premier League points away from home in 2015 so far (38).

Giroud's fine form away from home has helped Arsenal prove they can do it in the tough away trips this year.

Ronald's poor form

Southampton v Queens Park Rangers - Barclays Premier League

Saints have never failed to win for six consecutive Premier League games under Ronald Koeman, last doing so in December 2013 under Mauricio Pochettino.

The wonderful successes of last season are a distant memory for Ronald Koeman now and the Dutchman is in such a bad run that its been a couple of years since the Saints reached an ebb this low.