Arsenal’s run-in commences on Saturday night as Mikel Arteta’s team travel to the south coast to take on Southampton in an FA Cup quarter-final tie.
The Gunners’ pursuit of the quadruple was brought to an end before the international break when they were beaten by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. Arteta and his players have had two weeks to mull over this disappointment, while many of the Spaniards’ squad members have been able to rest over this period, with ten Arsenal players withdrawing from their national team camps.
A treble is still on the cards for the North Londoners, however, and this pursuit begins with a difficult trip to a high-flying Championship side. Southampton currently sit sixth in the English second division, having not lost in any competition since mid-January.
The Saints have been buoyed by the appointment of Tonda Eckert in November, with the German drastically improving the south-coast club’s fortunes since taking over from Will Still. Nevertheless, Arteta will still be confident in his team’s ability to overcome Southampton, even with a much-rotated side.
| Date | Result | Competition |
| 25/05/2025 | Southampton 1-2 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 05/10/2024 | Arsenal 3-1 Southampton | Premier League |
| 21/04/2023 | Arsenal 3-3 Southampton | Premier League |
| 23/10/2022 | Southampton 1-1 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 16/04/2022 | Southampton 1-0 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 11/12/2021 | Arsenal 3-0 Southampton | Premier League |
Arsenal team news vs Southampton, Piero Hincapie and Noni Madueke injury update
Arsenal have several potential injury issues to contend with heading to St. Mary’s. While the majority of the players who withdrew from international duty did so for precautionary reasons, there are some who are genuine doubts for this tie.
Noni Madueke is among those who sustained an injury whilst playing for his country. The tricky winger left Wembley last week with a brace around his leg, sparking concerns about his availability for the rest of the season. Thankfully for Arteta, it appears as though the former Chelsea man’s knock isn’t as serious as first feared, and while he’ll miss this game, he could be back for Sporting CP.
Piero Hincapie was also forced off the pitch during an international friendly, although it’s believed the Ecuadorian’s issue is minor. He went sent back to London as a precaution, but may miss the trip to Southampton.
Aside from these aforementioned two, and long-term absentee Mikel Merino, many of the other players in the red zone aren’t seriously injured but could be rested for the visit to the south coast. This list includes the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze is expected to miss a few more weeks after picking up an injury in the second leg of the Bayer Leverkusen tie, although Martin Odegaard is pushing to make a return against the Saints, and could simply replace the England international.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Southampton
With more pressing matches ahead, Arteta will likely to take as few risks as possible in his starting eleven. The likes of Saka, Rice and Saliba aren’t likely to start, while there could be opportunities for a few fringe players.
In goal, Kepa Arrizabalaga will likely return to the starting line-up despite his major error at Wembley. The Spaniard has been made the number one for cup competitions, and his disastrous moment against City probably doesn’t change that.
Ben White is a shoo-in at right-back, with Timber needing more time to return to full fitness. Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly are almost certain to start after enjoying impressive international breaks, while the fourth defender to complete the back four presents Arteta with a difficult choice.
Riccardo Calafiori played 210 minutes for Italy over the international break, but he likely still has to start due to the absence of other options. Saliba and Gabriel need to be protected, while Marli Salmon may not be trusted from the start in a game of this magnitude.
In midfield, Christian Norgaard will be deployed at the base, while Odegaard is in line for a start alongside Kai Havertz. With Merino, Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Eberchi Eze all unavailable or in need of a rest, and Lewis-Skelly needed at left-back, Arteta has few other options.
As for the front three, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are likely to start, with neither expected to play a significant role in more important upcoming matches. On the right, Max Dowman will start in Saka and Madueke’s absence.
Predicted Arsenal line-up vs Southampton: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Odegaard, Havertz; Dowman, Jesus, Martinelli.
Southampton vs Arsenal Prediction
Southampton have a crucial match against play-off rivals Wrexham on Tuesday night, and thus, Eckert may play a slightly weakened team against the Gunners. This should increase Arsenal’s chances of progressing, although the Saints will be excited by the prospect of a Wembley trip and will feel this is a free hit.
Arteta’s priorities will be tying the game up early, ensuring his players come through unscathed from an injury standpoint, and not having to call upon key starters to rescue the tie. This will be easier said than done, although they should ultimately have far too much for the Championship side.
Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Arsenal
