Southampton vs Arsenal - Ronald Koeman: Southampton remain focused

Ronald Koeman insists he can keep his Southampton squad focused despite shouldering growing pressure on his own position.

Koeman claimed the St Mary's outfit always expected a tricky season after another raft of high-profile departures in the summer.

Now the Saints are winless in six and gearing up to host high-flying Arsenal on Boxing Day, before travelling to West Ham less than 48 hours later.

Former Netherlands defender Koeman fully accepts only a reversal of fortunes will keep him in a job, but vowed to ease that pressure off his squad.

"It's difficult for the players because we have the experience from last year on how nice it can be," said Koeman, referencing Saints' seventh-place Premier League finish last season.

"We knew beforehand it could be a difficult season, but still it's not too late.

"We know we need a win. The best medicine is winning.

"You can keep positive, work hard, train well - but the final whistle is a different world if you win or lose."

Koeman met what he considers his worst run of form at Southampton by stating "every manager is under pressure".

The former Barcelona star branded Saints "naive" in the wake of last weekend's 2-0 loss to Tottenham, but the 52-year-old still believes his players can arrest their slump.

"We know we are in a difficult situation," said Koeman.

"We had a bad run last year, but not like this one.

"It means maybe a little bit of lack in confidence, in belief.

"But win the game and then it comes back.

"Every manager is under pressure.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side may be playing with the utmost confidence but the experienced Gunners boss knows that can soon change.

The Frenchman takes his team to Southampton on Boxing Day evening knowing they could end the night top of the table.

That comes on the back of three successive league wins, including Monday's crucial victory over title rivals Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

Southampton are not in the type of form that saw them finish a club-record seventh last season but they still have the players to provide upsets.

Last year Koeman welcomed Arsenal on New Year's Day and saw his Saints pick up a 2-0 win thanks to some calamitous defending from the visitors.

But after that set-back, Wenger's men have gone on to amass 10 points more than any other Premier League side in 2015 and, with two home games against Bournemouth and Newcastle following their trip to the south coast, momentum is with Arsenal as they look to overhaul high-flying Leicester.

Wenger, however, knows all-too well the fragility which accompanies such momentum.

"The confidence is very high," he said.

"Confidence is built up very slowly and goes very quickly, so let's take care of our next performance.

"We have been top of the league (at this stage) in previous years and I think football is pragmatic. Nobody can predict what can happen in the next 17 games for example and you just want to go with the same attitude and spirit.

"The only thing I can say is 2015, if you look back and try to analyse it, we have been consistent.

"We have had quite a positive year and stabilised our defensive record and improved our record against the strong teams in the Premier League so it looks like we are on the right train going the right way."

With the title race likely to remain open for some time, Wenger is making no predictions and keeping a lid on any pressure surrounding his players delivering a first title since 2004.

"The real pressure is not to go down," he said.

"All the rest is positive pressure. I believe that football is down to performance. Who will win the title? Nobody knows.

"I've worked for a long time in the game and nobody can tell you who will win the title. It's down to being pragmatic, putting the effort in to win your next game and worrying about your performance.

"That gives you a chance over a longer distance to maybe achieve your goals. At the moment, it's by miles too early to say who will win the Premier League. We've played 17 games - we're not even at half way."