Afternoon all. Thankfully, after the international break - which drags on, let's be honest - the Premier League is back! Here we will be covering the match between two of the division's best sides so far this season - Arsenal and Southampton.

Right, let's start with the teams news from the Emirates Stadium shall we? First up will be the home side...

ARSENAL XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Rosicky, Walcott, Gnabry, Bendtner

So, Jack Wilshere and Per Mertesacker return to the Arsenal starting lineup, which in turn has seen club captain Thomas Vermaelen drop down to the bench. On there he will be joined by former Southampton winger Theo Walcott, who has spent two months on the sidelines recovering from an abdominal injury. Holding midfielder Mathieu Flamini is omitted, though, because of suspension.

And now for the visiting Saints...

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Hooiveld, Shaw; Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Ward-Prowse, Lallana; Rodriguez, Lambert

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Gazzaniga, Yoshida, S Davis, Osvaldo, Chambers, Reed, Gallagher

There is a big absentee for Southampton in the form of Dejan Lovren, who has been replaced by Jos Hooiveld in the heart of the defence. The Croatian, who has scored in matches at Liverpool and Manchester United this season, is ill. Elsewhere, fresh from their exploits with England, Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez both start in advanced midfield roles behind lone striker Rickie Lambert.

Lovren's omission really could prove to be a crucial one, it must be said. He has earned countless plaudits for his performances in a Saints defence that has shipped just five goals this term. What's more, as mentioned below, he can also pose a threat in the opposition's penalty area.

And staying with the Lovren theme, his place has gone to Hooiveld, who will quite possibly not be relishing this clash. He started for Southampton during their 6-1 defeat at the Emirates last season, scored an own goal and limped off after 30 minutes with a calf complaint. All in all, it was an afternoon to forget for the Dutchman.

In truth, Southampton fans are used to being beaten by Arsenal. They've not overcome the Gunners since a 3-2 victory at the St Mary's Stadium, which ironically took place on this very day in 2002. Sports Mole looked back on that clash earlier today, an article that you can read here.

A big goal for both of these clubs has just been scored during the Merseyside derby as Romelu Lukaku puts Everton 3-2 up against Liverpool. If it stays that way, Arsenal will be top of the table at the start of this match, but a Southampton victory by a two-goal margin would see them end the weekend at the summit!

Who would have thought that Southampton would have the chance to reach the top of the table in late November?! To their credit, it's no fluke. Mauricio Pochettino has organised his side brilliantly - as the five goals in the against column shows. They are not just a defensive side, though. There probably isn't many better passing terms in the division than the Saints.

From an Arsenal point of view, it will be interesting to see how they react to their defeat last time out against Manchester United. They could have gone 11 points clear of the Red Devils, but there are just five points between them now. It also allowed some of their challenges to close the gap. Previous Arsenal teams may not have cope with such pressure, but perhaps this one is made of sterner stuff? We shall see.

It's now 3-3 on Merseyside courtesy of Daniel Sturridge. It hasn't changed the scenario at the Emirates, though. Both of these teams could end the weekend top of the table.

DELAY! There are reports coming through that the start has been delayed here by 15 minutes. We shall confirm that either way shortly.

The kick-off will be delayed by 15 mins in the interests of crowd safety as a result of ongoing disruption on the Piccadilly Line #AFCvSFC — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 23, 2013

There you have it then, we will get underway at 3.15pm. It shouldn't disrupt the players too much. They will probably just undergo a slightly extended warm-up.

Here's a picture that you Arsenal fans may enjoy of players past and present. How much would you like to have these three stood alongside Flamini in their prime playing today?!

There'll be a few famous @Arsenal faces in the crowd today for #AFCvSFC... pic.twitter.com/RWGut4Vz53 — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 23, 2013

In fact, that trio of Martin Keown, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires all started for Arsenal in the 2003 FA Cup final, where they defeated Southampton 1-0. French playmaker Pires actually scored the only goal of the game shortly before the break to help the Gunners to retain the trophy.

One of Arsenal's current French contingent, Olivier Giroud, has produced a string of decent performances so far this season. However, it will be interesting to see how he reacts to what happened to him on international duty. He was dropped for the second leg of France's qualifier against Ukraine on Tuesday and then watched on as Karim Benzema shone in a 3-0 win. It shouldn't hamper his confidence, but you never know.

Talking of Giroud, here he is alongside Mesut Ozil getting involved with 'Arsenal for Everyone' - a club initiative launched back in 2008.

Here's @_OlivierGiroud_ and @MesutOzil1088 wearing special T-shirts to celebrate 'Arsenal for Everyone' today - pic.twitter.com/FLS4jN50fI — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 23, 2013

Other matches up and down the country are just getting underway, but in case you missed the news from earlier, the start has been delayed at the Emirates because of travel disruption outside the ground. All being well, proceedings will get underway at 3.15pm.

So, while we wait for things to get off and running, let's take a look at what both mangers have been saying in the days leading up to this clash...

Wenger told reporters: "Pochettino has done very well without speaking too much. You have to give him credit for that. It's absolutely tremendous what Southampton have achieved. They can be very ambitious. The league is unpredictable this season. The biggest quality needed to win it will be consistency. All teams want to press and win the ball back quickly, Southampton maybe do it better than others."

Pochettino: "I would say that the team that we're going to play against on Saturday is the one that's playing the best football in the league. I think they can win the league, but I also think that there's other teams that are going to be in the running to win the league. I think it's going to be a hard-fought competition throughout until the end of the season. It's going to be very competitive and I think it's going to be a very exciting end to the season."

Right, the players are now preparing to head out on to the pitch at last. Not long now until we get started.

GAME ON! Better late than never! Arsenal, attacking from left to right, get the first half at the Emirates Stadium underway.

An early threat from Southampton as James Ward-Prowse crosses from deep. Laurent Koscielny rises highest, though, to head clear the danger. There's been plenty of pressure from the Saints, who are not allowing Arsenal any time in possession.

Some potentially bad news for Arsenal because striker Giroud is limping heavily following a challenge with Victor Wanyama. They really can't afford for him to come off because the replacement is likely to be Nicklas Bendtner, who has hardly covered himself in glory in recent seasons.

We've seen very little of Arsenal as an attacking force just yet. Credit for that must go to Southampton because every time a member of the opposition gains possession, they are instantly met by two or three players. Whether they can keep that up for 90 minutes, only time will tell.

OFF THE POST! What an escape for Southampton, who looked certain to concede. It's all about Wilshere for Arsenal, as he ghosts into the area before lifting the ball over Artur Boruc from a tight angle. The ball cannons off the post, but as players fly in, the Southampton goalkeeper retreats just in time to grab it.

More smart work from Boruc as he races off his line and outside of the penalty area to slide in to challenge Giroud. Had he mistimed that, the Arsenal striker would have probably scored, or worse still it would have been a foul and a red card.

OFF THE POST! Someone is looking over Southampton, that's for sure. Ozil has been quiet so far, but he lightens things up with a trick on the right flank before sending over a cross. It's met by Aaron Ramsey on the volley, but for once the goal-touch deserts the Welshman and his effort strikes the outside of the left upright. Southampton survive again as Arsenal start to turn the screw.

Wilshere has just hit the deck for Arsenal following a hefty challenge with Wanyama. His manager Wenger is not happy that a foul wasn't given, but replays show that the Southampton midfielder got a slice of the ball. Wilshere is up as well, it looks as though he was just winded.

What an earth is Boruc doing? Plain shocking. The ball is played back to him by Nathaniel Clyne and he has plenty of time to deal with it. But, as Giroud closes him down, he attempts to take on the Arsenal striker. Not once, not even twice! At the third time of asking he gifts the ball to Giroud, who rolls it into an unguarded net. All that hard work by the Saints has gone to waste and there's only man to blame!

A really big opportunity for Southampton as Clyne finds himself in the Arsenal area with time and space. He takes one touch too many, though, and the danger is eventually snuffed out. Both Lambert and Rodriguez were waiting six yards from goal for a cross that never came. As you'd imagine, neither are best pleased!

SAVE! Finally a shot on target from the Saints and it's Lallana that works Wojciech Szczesny with a dipping volley from the edge of the area. The Arsenal keeper reacts well to tip the ball over and the resultant corner comes to nothing. Positive signs for Southampton nevertheless.

To be honest, the tempo has died down a bit in the last few minutes. Arsenal are content to let Southampton have the ball just inside their own half as they look to consolidate what they've got, perhaps through to the break.

SAVE! Fantastic move from Southampton which deserved much more. A one-two between Ward-Prowse and Rodriguez ends with the latter volleying towards goal. Szczesny gets down quickly to parry clear the danger and as Lambert lurks to try to convert the rebound, the flag goes up for offside.

There will be an additional three minutes of injury time at the end of this first half.

BOOKING! The first yellow card of the afternoon goes to Southampton defender Hooiveld for a high challenge on Giroud just inside the Arsenal half. In fairness to the Dutchman, he doesn't argue the caution.

So, the league leaders go into the break 1-0 up without having played nowhere near to their highest standard. What's more, they are only in front because of a moment of madness from Southampton keeper Boruc, who is probably receiving a stern telling off from his manager right now!

Yes Southampton rode their luck on occasions, particularly when you consider that Arsenal have struck the post twice. Even so, they've defended well so to see Boruc gift the home side a goal must have been deflating. As Ruud Gullit once said: "a goalkeeper is a goalkeeper because he can't play football."

Arsenal will probably feel that they deserve the lead and on reflection, that is probably just about a fair viewpoint. As mentioned, they've hit the post twice and have fashioned out some good openings. They have not been at their slick best, though, which could be ominous for the Saints.

And here is a picture, courtesy of the Premier League, that shows the Boruc error:

PHOTO Olivier Giroud gets his sixth goal of the campaign - the sixth Southampton have conceded in the #BPL #ARSSOU pic.twitter.com/e47TMCRbIl — Premier League (@premierleague) November 23, 2013

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! A change for Southampton as they get the second half started. Luke Shaw, who picked up a knock earlier, has been replaced by Steven Davis.

That substitution for the Saints has seen the right-footed Clyne move over to the left-back position, while Ward-Prowse has filled in the void at right-back. All of which has freed up the space for Davis to slot into the heart of the midfield.

BOOKING! A clear caution for Wanyama, who knew exactly what he was doing. Santi Cazorla had too much pace for the Southampton midfielder, so he opted to hack him down on the halfway line.

SAVE! Lovely football from the away side as Lambert drops deep to loft the ball over the top for an advancing Morgan Schneiderlin. He in turn flicks the ball into the path of Lallana, who drives in a shot from 18 yards out. Szczesny gets his body behind the ball, though, and holds the effort. That was also Lallana's last involvement because he's now been replaced by Pablo Osvaldo.

We've actually seen nothing from Arsenal so far in this second half, particularly their midfield, who have gone missing. The likes of Ozil, Wilshere and Cazorla cannot seem to find enough space nor time to be at their creative best.

Now Arsenal start to have an impact on proceedings. All of a sudden their creative players are seeing much more of the ball and it's Southampton that are on the back foot. Never say never in football, but you'd imagine that another goal for the Gunners would seal all three points.

SAVE! Smart work from Ozil on the right as the German cuts inside to open up the shooting opportunity for himself. It's powerful enough, but Boruc's positioning is good and he thwarts the danger at his near post.

SUBSTITUTION: The Emirates rises as one to welcome back Walcott, who has been missed it must be said. After two months on the sidelines, he replaces Cazorla to add some pace to the Arsenal attack.

SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Arsenal and it's their captain Mikel Arteta, who has picked up an injury. It doesn't look overly serious, more of a precaution. On comes the experienced Tomas Rosicky in his place.

It's probably now time for Southampton to ditch some of the passing football and be a bit more direct. There's no shame in altering to that tactic when you are 1-0 down and have the likes of Lambert up front. He's just had one shot, that was deflected wide.

SUBSTITUTION: Final change of the match for Arsenal and it's a defensive one from Wenger. He brings off Ozil and replaces him with Nacho Monreal, who is likely to sit in front of Kieran Gibbs to offer him some protection.

For the second time today, Southampton shoot themselves in the foot and are punished. This time the offender is Jose Fonte, who clearly pulls back Mertesacker inside the area. A penalty is given and the Saints defender is rightly booked. Up steps Giroud, who neatly converts from 12 yards to wrap up the victory.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time at the end of this match.

So, Arsenal go four points clear at the top of the table, thanks largely to two massive errors from Boruc and Fonte, who are probably not going to be popular inside the Southampton dressing room!

That's all we have time for from the Emirates Stadium. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and be sure to check out our analysis of the clash, which will be on the site shortly.