Southampton vs. Arsenal | Premier League | Gameweek 38

 

Given that Jan Bednarek is also dealing with a knee problem, Rusk has confirmed that Taylor Harwood-Bellis' ankle injury will prevent him from playing against Arsenal. This is an unfortunate blow.

Due to his Achilles issue, Albert Gronbaek has undoubtedly played for the Saints for the final time. The interim manager was also unable to guarantee if Kyle Walker-Peters (sickness) would return for what may be his final game for the team.

Following Harwood-Bellis' dismissal last weekend, Rusk decided to give 18-year-old Joachim Kayi Sanda his Premier League debut; nevertheless, Yukinari Sugawara, who has experience, will undoubtedly be preferred from the first whistle against the runners-up

 

Leandro Trossard and Rice both bounced back from hamstring strains earlier this month, but William Saliba is not so fortunate. The Frenchman will miss the season's last game because of a problem he sustained during the first half of Newcastle's victory.

Saliba is one of two new defensive issues the visitors must deal with because Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) will not play against St. Mary's, and Jurrien Timber is now recovering from an ankle surgery.

However, Kai Havertz, who made his much anticipated comeback from a hamstring issue off the bench in last weekend's victory, and Mikel Merino, who is returning from a ban, could offer an alternate option in the final third.