Arsenal have been handed a fresh concern with Alexandre Lacazette ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Southampton at St Mary's.

The Frenchman - who has not scored from open play in the Premier League since the 3-0 win over the Saints back in December - was absent from training earlier this week for private reasons but has a "good" chance of being fit for the weekend.

Mikel Arteta is also working around the absences of Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu, the latter of whom is due to return to team training after this game.

Despite a lack of midfield options, Arteta inexplicably elected to start Granit Xhaka at left-back in the recent loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, which did not work in the slightest.

Xhaka reverted to his midfield role for the second half and should partner Albert Sambi Lokonga there from the off this week - allowing Nuno Tavares the chance to regain his manager's faith at left-back.

Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Cedric Soares and Aaron Ramsdale are all fit to reprise their roles in the backline, as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard continue further forward.

Emile Smith Rowe has looked slightly off the boil in recent weeks, so Gabriel Martinelli may be preferred on the left-hand side, and Lacazette's possible absence would open up a spot for Eddie Nketiah to spearhead the charge.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tavares; Xhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette body check tags ::