Nicolas Pepe looks set to return for Arsenal tonight.
The Ivory Coast winger has served a three-match ban after his red card in the stalemate with Leeds United last month for an incident Mikel Arteta labelled ‘unacceptable’.
With Arsenal hosting Southampton today, Arteta could and definitely should recall the £100k-a-week star – and it may be for Willian, who posted another underwhelming performance in the 1-0 defeat by Burnley on Sunday night.
Elsewhere, Granit Xhaka, sent off in the defeat by the Clarets, is about to serve a three-match suspension of his own and he could be replaced in midfield by Spain international Dani Ceballos.
Right-back Hector Bellerin is also suspended after picking up a booking this past weekend and Cedric Soares is likely to replace him in defence, beside the returning David Luiz who could come in for Rob Holding to partner Gabriel Magalhaes.
Defeat for Arsenal would be their fifth-successive league loss in a home game, which they’ve never done before.
It’s a very unwanted distinction and here’s the team Arteta could field to avoid further embarrassment: Leno; Soares, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Elneny, Ceballos; Saka, Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette
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