Arsenal host Southampton under the lights on Friday night with the Gunners in desperate need of three points in the Premier League.
An unwanted record was claimed by Arsenal last weekend, with their 2-2 draw with West Ham the first time in their history they've blown two 2-0 leads in consecutive games. The two draws has seen title rivals Manchester City close the gap to just four points, with Pep Guardiola's side holding a game in hand over the Gunners.
With Arsenal facing City next Wednesday, nothing but a win against Southampton will do ahead of what could be a title-deciding clash at the Etihad Stadium. Despite the Saints sitting bottom of the Premier League, Ruben Selles' side held Arsenal to a draw in their previous meeting, drawing 1-1 in October last year.
READ MORE: Oleksandr Zinchenko doubtful for Arsenal against Southampton as William Saliba misses out
So, could Arsenal extend their lead over City to seven points on Friday evening? We simulated the game to find out.
We simulated Arsenal vs Southampton to get a score prediction
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
![](https://i2-prod.football.london/incoming/article26740155.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Arsenal-XI.jpg)
We predict that the Saints could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Bazunu; Maitland-Niles, Caleta-Car, Bella Kochap, Walker-Peters; Lavia, Ward-Prowse, Alcatraz; Walcott, Mara, Elyounoussi.
As expected, Arsenal dominated the first half at the Emirates, with Gavin Bazuni single-handedly keeping Southampton in the game after making a collection of big saves to deny the Gunners from scoring. After 70 minutes, Mikel Arteta looked to his bench for extra firepower, and one of his introductions made an instant impact to send Arsenal into the lead.
![](https://i2-prod.football.london/incoming/article26740172.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Trossard-1-0.jpg)
A triple sub of Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Leandro Trossard were introduced, and the latter found the breakthrough just four minutes after coming on. Ben White won back possession on the left before playing a one-two with Bukayo Saka and surging down the wing.
As the defender reached the box, he whipped a cross into the box, and a glancing header by Trossard at the near post directed the ball into the far corner to make it 1-0. And, eight minutes later, Arteta's side doubled their lead and all but secured the victory when Vieira finished off a devastating counterattack.
![](https://i2-prod.football.london/incoming/article26740180.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_Vieira-2-0.jpg)
As Southampton threw bodies forward, a long ball was cleared by the Gunners' backline and a break forward began. Outnumbering the visitors, Nelson found Trossard in the middle who threaded a pass through to Vieira on the overlap, and a first-time finish from the midfielder saw the ball float into the far corner of the net to confirm the three points.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Arsenal 2-0 Southampton
Here are the full-time stats.
![](https://i2-prod.football.london/incoming/article26740195.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Arsenal-FT.jpg)
FIFA 23 predicts that Arsenal could rediscover their winning ways on Friday, beating Southampton 2-0. Despite dominating all game, the Gunners relied on their bench for goals, with Leandro Trossard impressing once again.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!
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