Arsene Wenger has decided to start Gervinho as a lone striker in an unusual experiment as Olivier Giroud starts on the bench.
Arsenal Vs. Southampton: Lineups
Gervinho starts as a lone striker for Arsenal, as Gaston Ramirez starts on the bench for Southampton.
The Ivorian will be flanked by Lukas Podolski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as Walcott - who is in the midst of a contract standoff and has often spoken of his desire for a central role - is named as a substitute. Wojciech Szczesny also makes a return to the Arsenal starting XI, and Per Mertesacker is selected ahead of Laurent Koscielny.
Elsewhere, Rickie Lambert starts up front for the Saints, flanked by Adam Lallana and Jason Puncheon, while new signing Gaston Ramirez starts his life at Southampton on the bench.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski. Bench: Mannone, Koscielny, Santos, Giroud, Walcott, Ramsey, Arshavin.
Southampton: K.Davis, Clyne, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox, Ward-Prowse, Schneiderlin, S.Davis, Puncheon, Lambert, Lallana. Bench: Gazzaniga, Yoshida, Rodriguez, Ramírez, Richardson, Mayuka, Chaplow.
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