Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be forced to get slightly creative in his team selection for the Premier League game against Southampton due to the amount of injury issues in his squad.

Over a week ago it was confirmed that Kieran Tierney will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

The former Celtic left-back felt discomfort in his knee after a training session and after consultation with specialists, it was decided he would go under the knife.

Thomas Partey is set for a spell on the sidelines too after suffering what has been described by Arteta himself as a “significant injury”. He was withdrawn in the loss against Crystal Palace and lost the next game against Brighton.

There is slightly more positive news concerning Takehiro Tomiyasu as he is expected to take part in a training match shortly, but Arteta has confirmed that this will take place after the Southampton match.

Aaron Ramsdale will start in goal behind a likely back four Cedric, Ben White, Gabriel and Nuno Tavares.

Granit Xhaka played left-back against Brighton but it didn’t work, so he’ll come back into midfield to partner Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli should feature as the attacking midfield three behind Alexandre Lacazette.

Predicted Arsenal XI v Southampton