Mikel Arteta may opt to rest a number of his Arsenal stars against Southampton tonight after a spate of withdrawals during the international break.
Despite Carabao Cup final heartbreak, the Gunners still have a healthy lead at the summit of the Premier League having booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
They are also in the last eight of the FA Cup and can book another trip to Wembley with victory over Saints tonight.
11 members of Arsenal’s squad were either not involved in recent international fixtures or withdrew from their respective squads during the break.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes pulled out of the France and Brazil squads shortly after the defeat to Manchester City with Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber, who missed the game at Wembley, doing likewise with England and Netherlands. Leandro Trossard also withdrew from Belgium duty.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka left the England squad without playing a minute with Martin Zubimendi also returning home earlier than planned from Spain. Piero Hincapie limped off during Ecuador’s draw with Morocco while there was concern for Noni Madueke after he was forced off in England’s drab draw with Uruguay.
Madueke was spotted leaving Wembley later that night wearing a knee brace but speaking on Friday, Arteta eased injury fears over his winger, hopeful he will only be out for a matter of days.
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He will not be involved today, along with Eze who could miss up to six weeks of action. Hincapie will also sit out of the action at St Mary’s.
Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard are in contention to return but Arteta gave little away regarding the fitness of Saka, Rice, Zubimendi, Saliba and Gabriel.
Arsenal XI to face Southampton – Metro prediction
Arsenal have faced lower league opposition in every previous round of the competition this season with Arteta resting some of his stars at every stage.
Rice and Zubimendi are still to start in the FA Cup this term and could be rested again even if passed fit while Madueke’s absence and doubts over Saka’s fitness could hand Max Dowman a chance to start on the right.
With speculation building over his future, Myles Lewis-Skelly will be hopeful of a spit in the starting XI at left-back.
Southampton vs Arsenal TV channel, live stream and kick-off time
Southampton vs Arsenal kicks off at 8pm tonight (4 April).
You can watch the match live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It will also be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the HBO Max app.
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