#SFCvAFC: All that you need to know

Exclusive Wenger quotes, classic goals, team news and a score predictor poll. This is your pre-match briefing ahead of the Southampton clash at St Mary’s.

"CHANCES INTACT"

While Sunday's win hasn't quite put our top-four hopes back in our own hands, the prospect of a 20th successive Champions League qualification is still very much alive, and certainly more likely than it was this time last week.

The 2-0 victory against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium, coupled with Liverpool's draw at home to Southampton on the same day, means that come Saturday evening we could be just one point off the top four, with two matches remaining.

But to be in that position Arsenal have to keep on winning, and build on the confidence-boosting performance against United. It was a victory that pleased the manager as much for its manner as its importance.

"We built and constructed our victory with intelligence, patience and good organisation," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"From then on we took advantage of the chances we had in a very clinical way.

"You could say we had a bit of luck, but the second goal was a great goal. We won the ball high up, and our transition from defending to attacking was very good.

"The header from Danny was great as well, so overall we are pleased to respond after the Tottenham disappointment with a big win.

"United are a team that is difficult to beat. They were on a long unbeaten run so it was important for us to respond and to keep our chances intact to qualify [for the Champions League].”

STUBBORN SAINTS

Southampton have also proved difficult to beat at times this season, as they demonstrated in their goalless draw at Anfield last weekend.

We needed a last-minute penalty from Santi Cazorla to see off the Saints at Emirates Stadium back in September, and it's nearly 14 years since we won a Premier League game at St Mary's.

Wenger knows they have the capacity to frustrate again on Wednesday night.

"Yes, Southampton have a good technical level," the boss said. "They have a midfield three who work very hard with a good technical level.

"They can frustrate because they can keep the ball, they can be dangerous in transitions - they have two full backs who are good going forward with Bertrand and Cedric, and overall they have creative players like Tadic, like Boufal and up front I think they made a good buy with Gabbiadini.

"They have Shane Long, who can go for longer balls and is good in the air. So overall, they have quite a well-balanced team."

RAMSEY'S NEW ROLE

Balance has been important for Arsenal recently as well. Since the shift to the new formation which Wenger describes as a 3-4-3, the Gunners have won four out of five, keeping clean sheets in the last two.

So the new system is clearly getting the best out of several players, and giving the side a new-found solidity, but the manager is yet to commit to it permanently.

"I must say the experience is still too short to say that we are definitely adopting this system for a longer period," he says.

"We adapt game by game and at the moment it has worked, especially defensively it has looked more stable and more solid. But the most important thing through the system is that the positions suit the quality of the players."

It seems to be suiting Aaron Ramsey's qualities. He was named man of the match against United, impressing in central midfield alongside Granit Xhaka.

“He has a bit more protection behind him and has more freedom to go forward and get into the box," Wenger explains.

"When he is at his best physically, he has a huge engine. Also he has a sense for the timing of his runs, so when he's physically strong he can take advantage of his tactical knowledge of the game.

"You would say the system suits him well, and that's what you want. Some players maybe suffer a bit more, but what is most important is that the system takes advantage of the quality of the players individually as much as possible.

"Maybe sometimes Welbeck was a bit too isolated [against United] so the runs of Ramsey for example helped him a lot. Also on Sunday Alexis played a bit deep – we want him to be closer to Welbeck and then we can be even more efficient offensively."

POLL

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