Predicted Arsenal lineup and XI vs Southampton as Mikel Arteta makes William Saliba replacement decision

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Arsenal visit Southampton in their final game of the Premier League season at St. Mary’s on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners will secure second place if they avoid defeat on the south coast, although they could lose their position as runners up if they suffer a heavy defeat and Manchester City thrash Fulham.

Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 in their last game, courtesy of a stunning second-half strike from Declan Rice.

Mikel Arteta will be desperate for his team to end a frustrating season on a high with a resounding victory over already-relegated Southampton.

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Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Southampton

A number of Arsenal players could play their final game for the club against the Saints, including the likes of Kieran Tierney, Jorginho and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

However, Arteta is likely to go as strong as possible to ensure his side pick up all three points, which may mean these players miss out.

William Saliba will miss the game with a hamstring injury, while Jurrien Timber is out after undergoing ankle surgery in midweek.

Ben White will replace the Dutchman, while Riccardo Calafiori is likely to be given the keys at centre-back and play alongside Jakub Kiwior, with this partnership showing promising signs in the second half against the Magpies.

Thomas Partey will likely accompany Rice and Martin Odegaard in Arteta’s default midfield three, while Kai Havertz could start up front for the first time since returning from injury.

The medical reports insist Havertz is in top shape, so the Gunners may opt to use him from the beginning.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Southampton: Raya, White, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Mikel Arteta should give departing players a run-out against Southampton

This summer could see something of an overhaul for a number of squad players at Arsenal.

Jorginho will depart for Flamengo, while Tierney will join Celtic, with the likes of Zinchenko, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey all possibly still leaving.

The latter three will all probably feature in some capacity, although the others will almost certainly be on the bench.

All great servants for the North London club, Tierney, Zinchenko and Jorginho deserve to have a send-off and say goodbye to the fans.

If Arsenal are in no danger of losing the match, Arteta should grant all three of them some cameo minutes.