Southampton boss Russell Martin explains what his side must do against Arsenal

Southampton travel to Arsenal on Saturday afternoon looking for their first Premier League win

Russell Martin insists Southampton have plenty to be “excited and positive about” ahead of their Premier League clash with Arsenal at the weekend.

The Saints are currently 19th in the English top flight – only above Wolves on goal difference – and are yet to win any of their six league games. They travel to unbeaten Arsenal on Saturday with Mikel Arteta's side looking to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the table.

Martin criticised his players for their “ridiculous” first-half performance in Monday’s 3-1 defeat to south-coast neighbours Bournemouth, saying he was “really hurt” by his team’s lack of “fight, aggression and courage”. The Saints boss does believe his side can turn it around, though.

“We’re frustrated to have one point and frustrated not to have won a game,” Martin said at his pre-match press conference. “But we’ve got loads to be excited and positive about. I don’t think anyone – fans, players, staff and owners – thought it was going to be easy.

“I still really feel we can achieve what we want to achieve. It’s not done in first month or two of the season, we need to keep growing and evolving.”

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Martin admitted the clash against Arsenal would be a "big challenge" for his side and sent a clear message in terms of dealing with the Gunners set-piece threat. Arsenal scored a league-high 20 goals from set-pieces last season and are joint-top again this term with three in six games.

Martin said: “The players are fully aware that if we give away some corners and free-kicks you have to be ready to stand up and defend it properly. That’s the same at any level, but especially against a team with players who attack the ball so well.”

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