Historic Arsenal challenge threatens two weeks of Southampton torment

Winless in their first six and on par with their worst-ever start to a league campaign, in 1998/99, manager Russell Martin and his charges visit Arsenal.

The heavy 3-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth on Monday, in which they were outclassed, has ramped up the pressure both internally and externally.

While Saints have just one point from six, Mikel Arteta's Gunners are unbeaten and one point off the top as they look to smash Man City's title hegemony.

Matches against the top six were initially viewed by club bosses as a potential route to bonus points not accumulated by other relegation candidates.

None of the three relegated clubs last campaign managed a win against the teams who finished in the top six - a handful of draws were enjoyed.

There can be zero realistic expectation of Saints bucking that trend at the Emirates on Saturday, with bookies pricing them as long as 19/1 to win.

Saints endured a difficult evening at neighbours AFC Bournemouth (Image: PA)

A result of any sort would go some way to relieving Martin of scrutiny and pressure the likes of which he is experiencing for the first time as a boss.

Should Saints be beaten by Arsenal on Saturday, as they will expected to be, they have two weeks to mull over it before hosting Leicester City.

That home fixture against the Foxes on Saturday, October 19, becomes a potential deathmatch. Leicester are one of five teams also still without a win.

But the challenge that awaits a reeling Saints this weekend is the most mammoth they have taken on under Martin to date.

Arsenal are a different prospect from what Saints faced the last time they visited in April 2023, as a 3-3 draw effectively ended the hopes of both teams.

That also spelt the end of Aaron Ramsdale, who will become the ninth goalkeeper to both represent and play against Arsenal in the Premier League.

The 34 goals Arsenal have conceded since August 2023 are the fewest of any Premier League team, while they just saw off PSG 2-0 in the Champions League.

Bukayo Saka helped inspire Arsenal to victory over PSG (Image: PA)

Arteta's side have been reduced to 10 men for entire second halves in the only two Premier League games they have failed to win this season.

Otherwise, they have beaten Leicester, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves and Aston Villa, scoring as many goals as Saints have conceded (12).

The Gunners have become fiercely renowned for their set-piece prowess while Saints have conceded the most in the Premier League (six).

Gabriel Magalhães will be queuing up to add to his two headers already this season while centre-back partner William Saliba will fancy notching his first. 

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 28 home league games against Southampton, winning 19  and drawing nine, since a 1-0 loss in November 1987.

Southampton’s 24 Premier League away games against Arsenal is the most one side has visited another without ever winning in the competition's history.

Across the last two seasons, Saints could equal their longest-ever winless run in the top flight (20), which occurred between August and December 1969.

The noise and speculation surrounding Martin's job has already heightened. Some outlets claim Sport Republic owner Dragan Solak is 'concerned'.

Sport Republic's Dragan Solak has been named as 'concerned' by talkSPORT (Image: Stuart Martin)

That goes without saying. But it is going to be said a lot more times between now and October 19, when Saints will feel they have a chance to put wrongs right.

Martin should have credit in the bank after guiding Saints to promotion last season but eventually, as is always the case, the cheque will bounce.

Less reputable football news websites than those producing the most recent reports have been saying that Martin is fighting to save his job for weeks.

Eventually, if not already, someone will be right. More and more will join the pile-on with each week Martin's side fails to win.

A miracle result at Arsenal would save Martin, the players and even club bosses from even more immense pressure in the build-up to Leicester.

That feels, however, incredibly unlikely. Unfortunately, they have potentially the most difficult game in the season's schedule at this crucial juncture.