Nigel Reo-Coker
Former West Ham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

The league's top six clubs are getting a lot of press about not giving youngsters a chance, so now Arsene Wenger is giving Reiss Nelson a go - he's got real talent so we just have to see whether he can reproduce his form against the big boys.

Kick-off rapidly approaching at the Emirates Stadium - don't forget you can also hear BBC Radio 5 live commentary via the links above.

Nigel Reo-Coker
Former West Ham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

It's all about the players today, not really about formations, the tactics, it's all about whether Southampton are up for it and if they're ready to compete.

As a footballer you have to compete to prove you have the right to be a footballer, and you have to do it for the fans, too.

They have to show what it means to win a football match, they have to give it all and they have to play for the badge.

Alistair Mann
MOTD commentator at Emirates Stadium

Perhaps requiring as many as four more wins to stay up, Southampton need to take every opportunity which presents itself, so if Arsenal's minds are elsewhere, they have to take advantage.

At a half empty and lacklustre Emirates Stadium last weekend, relegation rivals Stoke went away reflecting on a missed opportunity; Mark Hughes' new charges can ill afford to have the same regrets as his previous club.

Image source, Rex Features

Reiss Nelson - the youngest Arsenal league debut since Serge Gnabry's bow in September 2013.

He certainly looks the part.

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Nigel Reo-Coker
Former West Ham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Arsenal have made it clear their concentration is on the Europa League, so it's a great chance for Southampton to get three points and for the Saints players to show they're good enough to keep this club in the league.

Adam Blackmore
BBC Radio Solent sports editor

You have to wonder about the mentality of the Southampton players after losing at Newcastle and West Ham, where they could have easily turned the atmosphere on the home sides with a decent start, but they just didn't offer enough - their commitment and desire was lacking.

Image source, BBC Sport

For Southampton, results yesterday could have gone a lot worse. Crystal Palace were denied by a later Bournemouth equaliser, Stoke were beaten by Tottenham, Huddersfield and Swansea both drew - the latter at West Brom.

A lot of work ahead though. There's still time?

Alistair Mann
MOTD commentator at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal can be forgiven for attaching greater significance to European matters.

While qualification domestically is now fanciful, their route to the Champions League has moved ever closer following their handsome first leg victory over CSKA Moscow in the Europa League.

Southampton will therefore be hoping that the Gunners' level of intensity may waver for this meeting.

Sylvester Mwale: Another nightmare in offing for the Gunners; Rob Holding is miles better than Calum Chambers. I don't understand why Arsene Wenger prefers the former Southampton man in defence!

Mat: Arsenal have played good exciting football recently. Every player in today's line-up needs three or more touches before passing and then I wouldn't trust eight of them to pass me the salt let alone the ball. This is going to be a very dull game!

Arlo White
BBC radio 5 live commentator at Emirates Stadium

Arsene Wenger has made it quite clear where his priorities lie with his team selection today - he's clearly got one eye on next week's Europa League second-leg tie with CSKA Moscow. He's made seven changes from the side that beat them on Thursday, and there's not one squad number below number 14.

Image source, Getty Images

Over in Spain yesterday, Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga.

They equalled a Spanish top flight record of 38 games unbeaten with victory over Leganes.

They can break it in their next league game at home to Valencia next Saturday.

Barca are 12 points clear of Atletico Madrid - who play at city rivals Real Madrid later on Sunday (15:15 BST). You can follow live text coverage of that one from about 15:00.

Image source, BBC Sport

Tributes were paid to Ray Wilkins at Saturday's matches, too.

Wilkins, who also played for Manchester United, AC Milan, Rangers and QPR, died at the age of 61 on Wednesday in hospital, where he was being treated following a cardiac arrest.

Clubs held a minute's applause before their games around the UK, with some teams wearing black armbands.

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Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator at Stamford Bridge

There'll be a sombre mood before kick-off, as Stamford Bridge mourns the passing of a favourite son.

For many of my generation, Ray Wilkins was the first Chelsea player we ever heard of. For anyone who knew him, their world has lost - to use one of his own expressions - a smashing fella.

The best tribute the current Chelsea side could then pay would be to lift themselves to a (currently) rare win as their title defence fizzles out tamely.

West Ham's need is even more pressing though, and they must start with the belief that they can follow last week's vital victory against Southampton with a first away to Chelsea for over 15 years. It's still a big ask."

Image source, PA

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could make his comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Pedro may also return from a minor problem but both David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu are ruled out.

West Ham could again be without midfielder Manuel Lanzini, who is a major doubt because of a knee injury.

Defender James Collins may again miss out with a hamstring problem, while a similar injury will keep winger Michail Antonio out for the rest of the season.

However, striker Javier Hernandez is available after overcoming an illness.

Image source, Reuters

• Arsenal are unbeaten in their past 22 home league games against Southampton (W16, D6).

• This season, Arsenal have won all 11 of their home league games against sides currently below them in the table, compared to one victory in five matches when hosting the teams above them.

Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have scored 42 Premier League goals at home this season - the only other club with more than 40 are Manchester City (53).

"If you look at our home season, people have seen good football here and I read somewhere that we were the third-best team in the league with our home results," Arsene Wenger said on Friday.

It's true - they'd be third in a table on home form only. Man City (obviously) Man Utd, Arsenal.

"So we have just had a bad moment in February and of course after that it takes you time to recover and rebuild some confidence and credibility as well.

"We needed a few results together and that is what we have done recently."

Image source, BBC Sport

So it's seven changes to the Arsenal side which beat CSKA Moscow on Thursday.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Calum Chambers, Danny Welbeck, Sead Kolasinac, Alex Iwobi, Mohamed Elneny and 18-year-old midfielder Reiss Nelson start today against Southampton.

They replace Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil, Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny, Jack Wilshere, and Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal XI: Cech, Aubameyang, Iwobi, Mustafi, Chambers, Welbeck, Bellerín Xhaka, Kolasinac, Elneny, Nelson.

Subs: Maceym Lacazette, Wilshere, Özil, Holding, Monreal, Nketiah.

Image source, BBC Sport

Meanwhile Mark Hughes has made four changes to the team that lost 3-0 at West Ham last weekend.

In comes Maya Yoshida, Oriel Romeu, Shane Long and James Ward-Prowse in place of Maolo Gabbiadini, Nathan Redmond, Charlie Austin and Mario Lemina.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Soares, Yoshida, Stephens,Hoedt, Long, Tadic, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Bertrand, Højbjerg.

Subs: Forster, Austin, Boufal, Gabbiadini, Redmond, Pied, Sims.