Team news: Sterling handed first Gunners PL start | Team news | News

Mikel Arteta has made three changes to his starting lineup for tonight's game against Southampton, with Raheem Sterling given the club's first Premier League start.

The winger has come into the team in place of Gabriel Martinelli, while Gabriel Jesus is also given the chance to impress up front with Leandro Trossard dropping to the bench.

After being substituted against PSG in midweek, Jurrien Timber is not in the matchday squad. Thomas Partey is expected to fill in at right-back and Ben White is also unavailable. Jorginho takes over the Ghanaian's place in midfield and is captain of the team.

There is a welcome return to the bench for Takehiro Tomiyasu, while Mikel Merino could make his league appearance for us after being named among the substitutes.

Southampton have now made four changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Bournemouth on Monday night.

Joe Aribo and Ryan Manning come into midfield, while Maxwell Cornet and Ryan Fraser are out of Russell Martin's squad. Kyle Walker-Peters is in place at left-back in place of Charlie Taylor, while Ross Stewart will play up front with Tyler Dibling moving to the wing and Lesley Ugochukwu on the bench.

ALIGN

Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Sterling, Jesus.
Subs: Neto, Lewis-Skelly, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Merino, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Trossard, Butler-Oyedeji.

Southampton: Ramsdale, Sugawara, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Walker-Peters, Downes, Manning, Aribo, Dibling, Fernandes, Stewart.
Subs: McCarthy, Bree, Taylor, Lallana, Ugochukwu, Brereton Diaz, Armstrong, Archer, Onuachu.

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