Arsenal injury news: Xhaka suspended, Luiz and Partey expected to miss Southampton game

If you’ve been living under a rock, you may have missed that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and his team are being scrutinised for their poor form and performances of late.

The Gunners’ 1-0 loss at home to Burnley on the weekend did nothing to alleviate any of that pressure as they lost their fourth consecutive fixture at The Emirates. Arsenal currently sit 15th in the Premier League standings at the time of writing.

Southampton, Arsenal’s opponents on Wednesday evening, are enjoying a polar opposite of a season so far, flirting with Champions League football.

Saints are riding the crest of a wave with two victories on the bounce and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are hoping to win their first league game away at Arsenal in over 33 years.

Arsenal’s lives were made considerably more difficult on Sunday after midfielder Granit Xhaka stupidly got himself sent off. The Saints game is the Swiss international’s first fixture he will sit out as part of a three-match suspension.

Hector Bellerin is also suspended, having accumulated five bookings so far this season for a one-match ban.

Nicolas Pepe could return to the Gunners’ matchday squad after serving his suspension picked up against Leeds United.

In terms of injuries, Arsenal are unlikely to be able to call upon the services of David Luiz and Thomas Partey.

Partey, a summer signing from Atletico Madrid, hobbled off with a thigh injury against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur over a week ago. Luiz is still on the comeback trail after the head injury he sustained against Wolves.