Premier League leaders Arsenal will attempt to extend their best-ever Premier League unbeaten home run when they face Southampton on Friday.
Arsenal's title bid has stuttered in the last couple of weeks, with the Gunners giving up two-goal cushions to draw against both Liverpool and West Ham United.
As a result, the Gunners have seen their lead at the top reduced to four points by Manchester City, who have a game in hand over Mikel Arteta's side.
The two title protagonists will face off at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, but before Arsenal turn their attention to their crucial meeting with the Citizens, they must negotiate Friday's home fixture against basement side Southampton.
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw when the two sides met at St Mary's in October, however, they usually fare much better against the Saints on home turf.
Impressively, the Gunners have never lost any of their 23 Premier League home matches against Southampton, recording 16 victories and seven draws in that period.
No side in the Premier League era has ever played more home games against a single opponent without losing.
In total, the Gunners are unbeaten in 27 home league games against Southampton since losing 1-0 in November 1987.
Arteta's side will be confident of extending their unbeaten run against the Saints, having lost just one of their 15 home league games this season.
Since losing to Man City in February, Arsenal have recorded four consecutive home victories, scoring at least three goals in each of those games.
They now have the chance to register three or more goals in five consecutive home games for the first time since 2018.
With Man City in FA Cup action at the weekend, the Gunners will go into Wednesday's top-of-the-table clash with a seven-point lead if they beat Southampton.
Arteta has confirmed that William Saliba remains sidelined for Friday's contest, while there is doubt surrounding Oleksandr Zinchenko's availability. body check tags ::
