Arsenal vs. Southampton: 5 Things Arsene Wenger Can Learn from Saints

Southampton's story is quite inspirational. Having fought back from the third tier of English football, they appeared to be set for another decline when they lost their manager and a host of key players this summer.

Instead, they've gone from strength to strength. With new man Ronald Koeman in charge, the Saints currently sit above Arsenal in the Premier League table.

Before the two sides meet this evening, we look at five lessons Arsene Wenger could learn from Southampton's extraordinary achievements.

The Importance of the Defensive-Midfield Role

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Southampton have the best defence in the Premier League this season.

Although the back four deserve plenty of credit, their defensive stability is due in large part to the work done ahead of the defence. In Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama, Southampton have players who offer a superb defensive shield.

That seems to be something Arsenal lack. Come the end of this season, we can surely expect a renewed bid from Arsene Wenger for Schneiderlin's services.

Finding Centre-Backs Isn't That Hard

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Arsenal are expected to be on the lookout for a new centre-back in January. Southampton's recent success suggests they won't necessarily have to spend big to find one.

Southampton's current central-defensive pairing are Toby Alderweireld, who joined on a loan deal from Atletico Madrid, and Jose Fonte. Fonte joined in 2010 for just £1.2 million, and he was playing for the club in English football's third tier.

Arsene Wenger struggled to find a centre-back of the requisite quality this summer. However, Southampton demonstrate it isn't that difficult.

Perhaps the lesson is that when it comes to defence, organisation is more important than glamorous personnel.

The Coach Does Not Have to Be All-Powerful

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At Arsenal, Wenger is an autocrat. The same is not true of Ronald Koeman: After all, the Dutchman is not Southampton's manager, but their head coach.

The distinction is important. Southampton have worked hard to build an infrastructure that is not reliant on one man. There are complex networks of scouts and coaches that remain even when a manager departs. It's that structural rigour that has enabled them to survive the departure of Mauricio Pochettino unscathed.

Arsenal need to begin looking to a future without Wenger. Emulating Southampton's model of managerial delegation could be the answer.

Shoot from Range Less

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Arsenal's fans often criticise their team for failing to take shots on. Accusations of over-playing abound, with cries of "shoot!" regularly heard at the Emirates Stadium.

However, the stats tell a different story. According to WhoScored, 48 percent of Arsenal's attempts on goal take place from outside the box.

Southampton, who have outscored Arsenal this season, only shoot from range on 37 percent of occasions. The team who shoots the least from distance? Manchester City, who just so happen to be the league's second-highest scorers.

There does appear to be some correlation, so perhaps Wenger should convince Aaron Ramsey to cease attempting to strike from range quite so often.

Young Defenders Can Cope in the Premier League

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Arsene Wenger can be reluctant to throw young defenders in to the fray. This season, he has persisted with playing Nacho Monreal out of position rather than using Calum Chambers or Isaac Hayden at centre-half. It's clear he favours experience at the back.

Southampton, meanwhile, have no such anxieties. Last season, they were successful despite fielding two teenagers (Chambers and Luke Shaw) in the full-back positions. The Saints plainly believe that if the defenders are good enough, they're old enough. Perhaps Wenger should have followed suit.