Joleon Lescott has backed Arsenal to win against Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League this weekend, but the pundit believes that Gunners manager Mikel Arteta will be disappointed that the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar will start in November, as quoted in LiveScore.
Arsenal will lock horns with Southampton away from home at St. Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League this weekend.
The Gunners will head into the match as favourites.
Former Manchester City star Lescott believes that Arsenal will pick up all three points from the encounter courtesy of a 2-0 win.
However, the pundit believes that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would be disappointed that there is a break coming up in November, which means that the Gunners will not be able to maintain their current momentum.
The Premier League season will pause for a few weeks due to the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar starting in November and ending in December.
Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League table at the moment with 27 points from 10 matches, four points clear of defending champions Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, who are second and third respectively.
Joleon Lescott on Southampton v Arsenal, Mikel Arteta
Lescott wrote on LiveScore: “Arsenal will fancy their chances of keeping their lead at the top secure when they visit Southampton.
“There has been discussion this week about whether the Gunners will still be top heading into next month’s World Cup and I see no reason why they can’t be.
“One thing I do know for sure, Mikel Arteta will be gutted there is an extended break coming up.
“When you have the kind of momentum his side are enjoying, you just want the games to keep coming thick and fast.
“The chasing pack will have a chance to re-focus and refresh themselves, while Arsenal have a long time to think about the state of play.”
The pundit added: “A slip-up is going to come sooner or later for the Gunners as mentioned, though I’m not going to turn against them here.
“Southampton got a much-needed win at Bournemouth and a long overdue clean sheet to match, which will have boosted their confidence massively.
“Yet the visitors keep finding a way and I expect them to do so again.
“Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Arsenal.”
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