Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Southampton and Arsenal.

There are less than two weeks remaining until the end of the current Premier League campaign but the games continue to come thick and fast. Some fixtures have been rearranged for one reason or another and that is why we Southampton playing host to Arsenal this season. To a certain extent, the overload of games benefits both the clubs involved and the supporters, but each of them know - especially in Arsenal's case - that this is a must-win contest.

For Arsenal, the scenario is quite simple. They realistically need to win their remaining matches in order to give themselves a chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League. Sunday's triumph over Manchester United suggested that they are mentally prepared to register five wins in a row, but it is one thing thinking it and another producing it.

As for Southampton, they have ambitions of finishing in eighth position in the standings and while they have games in hand on the teams around them, they still need to take advantage. Claude Puel could also do with a couple of positive results to give himself a better chance of retaining his job on the south coast.

Anyway, without further ado, let's get cracking with the team news from St Mary's, starting with the home team.

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand; Romeu, Davis; Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Redmond; Gabbiadini

SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTES: Hassen, Caceres, Long, Boufal, Pied, Hojbjerg, Rodriguez

ARSENAL XI: Cech; Holding, Mustafi, Monreal; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Xhaka, Gibbs; Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Ospina, Bellerin, Paulista, Coquelin, Iwobi, Walcott, Giroud

After their goalless draw with Liverpool, Puel has opted to make just the one alteration to his team, with Nathan Redmond returning to the starting lineup in place of Sofiane Boufal. It means that Manolo Gabbiadini gets another opportunity to end his recent goal drought, but there is no spot on the bench for Charlie Austin, who must wait to make his first-team return.

The main news from the Arsenal camp is that Granit Xhaka is able to take his place in the side. His participation had been in doubt after an injury to his ankle, but the Swiss international lines up in midfield. There is a change in defence, however, with Shkodran Mustafi taking Laurent Koscielny's spot at centre-back. Danny Welbeck retains his place after his goal against former club Manchester United.

HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's contest represents the 93rd time in which these two teams have faced each other in a competitive match, with Arsenal claiming 47 victories to 20 wins for Southampton. However, the Saints have had the better of the last half-a-dozen meetings with three triumphs being registered during that time, although when this fixture was played in the FA Cup back in January, Arsenal ran out 5-0 winners at St Mary's.

Arsenal fans had probably expected to hear about Arsene Wenger's future by now, but it appears that the answer to the hot topic for debate is going to be left in doubt until the end of the season. The Frenchman is still dividing opinion and even winning the FA Cup won't be enough to satisfy the demands of the fans but if he ends the season with five victories in a row, does that justify him penning a new deal? Most will say probably not if the end goal of Champions League football is not achieved but in Wenger's eyes, he will believe that he remains the right man for the job.

There are also question marks over Puel's future at Southampton. An appearance in the EFL Cup final and eighth place would be a positive achievement, but it is their points tally in the Premier League which is most concerning. They have been off the pace during parts of the season but as he heads into his 50th match in charge, can he be content with a return of 19 wins and 12 draws at this stage of his spell at Southampton?

His goal against United has kept Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud on the substitutes' bench, but does Welbeck deserve to remain in the team? His goal return has been poor since he made his comeback from a knee injury but as well as scoring against United on Sunday and away at Liverpool earlier in the season, the 26-year-old netted a double against Southampton on the FA Cup. He has failed to kick on since then, but a positive end to the campaign may change things around for the England international.

From Puel's perspective, he will be keen to see Gabbiadini get back on the scoresheet sooner rather than later. The Italian was in almost mesmeric form when he first joined the Saints from Napoli but since a spell on the sidelines, he has not looked the same player. With Austin closing in on a return to full fitness, he cannot afford another game without a goal.

PREDICTION! Southampton were successful in keeping Coutinho, Firmino and co quiet on Sunday, but can they replicate that against the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez? With Southampton needing to show more ambition in front of their own supporters, we are expecting Arsenal to capitalise with their big-hitters helping them to a 3-1 win.

It's time for the two teams to make their way out on the south coast. St Mary's is as boisterous as ever, but can they encourage their side to another result against the Premier League's top six? We are about to find out.

We are underway.

SHOT! It has been a positive start from Southampton who have Davis send a shot over the crossbar from distance. He had received the ball from Redmond, who has already made more of an impact than Boufal did against Liverpool.

Back come Arsenal, who try to assert their 3-4-1-2 formation on proceedings. Oxlade-Chamberlain is already looking lively on the right but he is unable to find Ramsey with a right-wing cross.

Where was this Southampton on Sunday? Right now, they are looking a threat from both flanks and after the ball switched between Soares and Bertrand, the latter fired wide of the target.

The pressure continues to come from Southampton but while we praise the home side's intent, we should also pay credit to how Arsenal have settled into this game. They seem prepared to soak up what their hosts are prepared to throw at them, without showing too much urgency on the break.

LATEST! We wouldn't want you to leave this match, but we feel as though we should point you in the direction of what is going on in Madrid. Atletico have clawed their way back into the tie with a 2-0 lead on the night, and they now sit just the one goal behind on aggregate. Click here to head over to that match.

CHANCE! Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey seem to have a good understanding between one another and it almost leads to a goal. The wing-back supplied his teammate with the ball after a corner, but his eventual shot went wide of the post.

We remain goalless at St Mary's but it has been a competitive opening, even if it is lacking the goals we are seeing in Spain. Remember that a draw would not be good enough for Arsenal, so expect them to remain on the offensive as long as this game remains goalless.

Things have quietened down a bit since that energetic start, which coincides with the Sun going down on the south coast. There has been nothing to report over the past five minutes but this match is still bubbling.

CHANCE! Finally a shot on target after just over half-an-hour played. Mustafi had initially blocked Tadic's shot but after the ball fell invitingly to Gabbiadini, Cech was able to make the save. Better from the home side.

We have not seen a whole lot of the likes of Ozil and Sanchez but players of that ability only require the smallest of openings to make an impact. That nearly occurs when Ozil had the ball in the penalty area, but Stephens was there to make the tackle.

SUBSTITUTION! Oxlade-Chamberlain has had his fair share of injuries and he has received another here. He has hobbled off to be replaced by Hector Bellerin.

With five minutes left of the first half, it appears that we will be going into the break on level terms. Both teams will probably be content with that, but Arsenal need to make more effort to make something happen. Southampton are offering more threat in the final third than at the weekend, but Puel would probably accept this scoreline.

SHOT! Southampton are ending the half well on top. Moments after Gabbaidini sent a 30-yard free kick wide of goal, Redmond forced Cech into a fine save from the edge of the area, with the ball ricocheting off the woodwork. The Arsenal goalkeeper has impressed over the last few weeks.

BOOKING! The first caution of the game goes to Ward-Prowse, who is correctly booked for a foul on Welbeck.

The half-time whistle goes at St Mary's and we remain goalless. Southampton have definitely had the better of possession and chances, but Arsenal will always remain a threat. Puel will be pleased with how his team have applied themselves in the first half, but he will rue the fact that they haven't edged in front.

Southampton get us back underway.

CHANCE! Should Davis be doing more with this? We think so. Gabbiadini - who is looking much nearer his former self - found the midfielder but he did not get the best contact on his shot.

CHANCE! We have had 17 shots in this match, but just the three on target. The latest to be added to that tally came from Ramsey, who diverted a cross from Bellerin wide of the post. The Welsh midfielder has arguably been Arsenal's biggest threat tonight.

It shouldn't be long before we see the first changes for either side. I am saying that with conviction before it feels that it is going to take the introduction of an impact player to change the course of this match. Walcott will be relishing the chance to feature against his former club.

If Arsenal cannot find a winning goal, they will remain behind fifth-place Manchester United, who are only just clinging on to hopes of a top-four place themselves. The game is set up for Wenger to throw caution to the wind but there isn't enough urgency coming from his team.

Right, so this is a pretty special goal from Sanchez. Yoshida and Stephens have defended admirably during the first hour of this match but they have been made to look stupid by Sanchez, who wrong-foots them both before finishing low into Forster's net.

That goal for Sanchez also brought up his 20 in the Premier League for the season. No Arsenal player has done that since Robin van Persie during the 2011/12 campaign.

Since the goal, Arsenal have looked more likely to double their advantage rather than Southampton find an equaliser. The Saints were in control for a while but it is questionable whether they have got it in them to get back on level terms.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Double change from Southampton, with Sofiane Boufal and Shane Long replacing James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond.

Southampton are applying more pressure than they have been for the last quarter-of-an-hour but they haven't come close to finding a way past Cech. This feels like a 1-0 to the Arsenal.

SUBSTITUTIONS! The home side are still struggling to carve out a clear-cut chance and it leads to Puel making his third alteration, with Jay Rodriguez coming on for Tadic. For Arsenal, Olivier Giroud has replaced Welbeck.

Boufal is trying to grab the game by the scruff of the neck but he still looks like a player which should not have cost £16m. There has been another goal...

Talk about an instant impact. Sanchez managed to find Ramsey at the back post and after the midfielder directed the ball into the path of Giroud, he had the simple task of heading in at the far post. Game over.

There will be three minutes of added-on time. Don't expect too much more from this game.

CHANCE! Long is able to flick Boufal's inswinging corner towards goal, but it is straight at Cech. That should be that as far as the chances are concerned.

The full-time whistle goes at St Mary's and Arsenal have recorded a 2-0 win over hosts Southampton. In the end, it was probably deserved but the Gunners had to work hard in order to keep their top-four hopes alive. As for Southampton, they are now outsiders to finish in eighth place.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye for now.