The Tigers will arrive to a frosty reception at the Grove.

Arsene Wenger was quick to criticise the Premier League’s fixture scheduling after we had to play two away games in between Hull’s last match and their visit to North London. After those comments, Wenger has been accused of ‘moaning like a drain’ by Tony Pulis and although this generally true, the Frenchman knows that this is the only way to keep the FA on their toes when it comes to the treatment of our club. Man Utd have enjoyed preferential treatment for years, both on and off the pitch, and that is in no small part due to Ferguson’s constant stream of complaining.

Phil Brown needed no invitation to counter Wenger’s argument ahead of Saturday’s game:

"I have looked at the size of the squads in the Premier League and with that in mind, I can't see any problem with two or three games in a week. Players just want to play."

If Phil Brown’s side had been in our situation you can guarantee that he would have complained in exactly the same way that Wenger has. Brown’s desire to enter into petty arguments that have nothing to do with him is one of the reasons Arsenal football club will give him a poor reception on Saturday.

Any other lower placed Premier League team has a good chance of us being complacent against them but Phil Brown carries himself with such unwarranted arrogance that we will be highly motivated to defeat his side.

Denilson returns to the squad but Armand Traore is joined on the sidelines by Cesc Fabregas who picked up a ‘minor’ hamstring injury at Turf Moor. We are struggling to build momentum but we must continue to pick up three points in our home games to keep within reach of the top of the table and avoid being drawn into the battle for fourth place.

Prediction: 3-1 to the Arse.

Photo: Action Images

Southampton Polls