Granit Xhaka misses out on Arsenal’s crunch match with Southampton through illness

Granit Xhaka misses out on Arsenal’s crunch match with Southampton through illness… as Mikel Arteta confirms the Swiss international ‘wasn’t feeling very well’ in the build-up to the game

Granit Xhaka will miss Arsenal’s crucial clash with Southampton through illness
Mikel Arteta confirmed the midfielder ‘wasn’t feeling very well’ earlier in the day
It’s a crucial match for the Gunners, who can extend their lead to seven points

By James Cohen For Mailonline

Published: 19:22 BST, 21 April 2023 | Updated: 19:41 BST, 21 April 2023

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Granit Xhaka will miss Arsenal‘s crucial match against Southampton due to an illness problem.

The Switzerland international was left out of the Gunners’ matchday squad for the home clash against the Saints, due to the issue.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed the reason for Xhaka’s absence prior to the game. He said: ‘Unfortunately this morning Granit wasn’t feeling very well. I am excited to see Fabio Vieira in the starting line up.

‘Hopefully we have learned a lesson. We know what we have to do but we have to prove it in the moment. Hopefully we will see a very different story.’

It’s a huge blow to the Gunners, who can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points with a victory over the Saints.

Granit Xhaka will miss Arsenal’s clash against Southampton with an illness problem

The Gunners take on the Saints as they look to extend their lead at the top of the league table

Xhaka has played a leading role in Arsenal’s side this year, forming a solid partnership with Thomas Partey in the midfield.

In place of the Swiss international, summer signing Fabio Vieira will step into the middle of the park for the clash against the Saints.

Xhaka, 30, has made 31 appearances for the Gunners in the English top-flight this season and has contributed five goals and five assists during that time.

Vieira, meanwhile, has one goal and two assists from his 19 cameos in the Premier League this campaign.

The Portuguese midfielder will join Partey and captain Martin Odegaard in the middle of the match on the Emirates.

In other team news on the night, full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko made his return to the starting line-up after missing out on their draw with West Ham.

The Gunners will be hoping the return of their first-choice left-back can help inspire them to victory, given the ongoing title race involving themselves and Man City.

The north London outfit can extend their lead at the top to seven points with a win on Friday night, ahead of their clash with City on Wednesday.

The Manchester club will have two games in hand, after tonight’s match, but all the pressure will be on them if Arsenal are able to secure the win over Southampton.