Arsenal - Southampton: Match Preview

Arsenal begin their Capital One Cup campaign at the Emirates on Tuesday evening as they host high-flying Southampton. The Gunners will be hoping for more domestic cup success this term, after winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in recent months.

Arsène Wenger’s side responded from their dreadful performance against Borussia Dortmund last week by recording an excellent victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon. Three goals in just four first-half minutes shocked Paul Lambert’s men, allowing the North Londoners to coast to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Villa had started the season magnificently, recording 10 points from a possible 12; conceding a solitary goal in the process. Therefore, on paper, this was no formality for Arsenal, but a dazzling performance from Mesut Ozil, operating in his favoured central role, was the catalyst for their victory. After a difficult period, Wenger will hope this victory will generate a consistent run of form for his side.

However, they will be facing a Southampton side full of confidence. After a tumultuous summer for Saints fans, during which they lost Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers, they invested wisely and have begun the season in sparkling form.

An encouraging opening-day defeat to Liverpool at Anfield was followed by a stalemate against West Bromwich Albion, but since then, the south-coast side have secured three successive wins, against West Ham, Newcastle and Swansea respectively.

Just weeks before the season’s opener, many were tipping Southampton for relegation as they appeared to be in turmoil; they had lost their manager Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham and a plethora of last year’s star performers.

However, crucially for the Saints, they managed to retain the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Jay Rodriguez and Nathaniel Clyne amid strong interest from a multiple of Premier League rivals.

Southampton’s experienced boss Ronald Koeman has made some shrewd acquisitions in the transfer market, including Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle from FC Twente and Feyenoord respectively. The latter has made an immediate impact, netting three goals in his first four appearances.

They have also added recent La-Liga winner Toby Alderweirweld to their defensive ranks and there’s a legitimate case to say Southampton have improved as a squad, despite the high-profile departures.

In recent seasons, Wenger has noticeably taken the League Cup more seriously, however, this was arguably due to the pressure of their trophy drought. The Frenchman will surely be forced to make some changes to the Gunners line-up, particularly ahead of defining clashes against Tottenham, Galatasary and Chelsea in the next fortnight.

The biggest selection dilemma facing Arsenal’s veteran manager is how to set-up defensively. Arsenal are lacking in defensive options following the injury to Mathieu Debuchy, with only five senior defenders currently available, so Wenger will be reluctant to risk many of his first-teamers ahead of a pivotal period.

Hector Bellerin is expected to start at right-back after making his competitive debut against Dortmund last week. Gunners fans could also get a glimpse of U21 skipper Isaac Hayden at centre-back. He’s impressed in the U21 clashes this season, his composure and discipline a hallmark of his game. Calum Chambers could also be in-line to start against his former club, although with the North London derby against Spurs on the horizon, he may not be risked.

Arsenal have numerous midfield and attacking options, so will be strong offensively irrespective of any possible rotation. Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, and Lukas Podolski are yet to start for the Gunners this season and are expected to feature. Costa-Rican starlet Joel Campbell, who impressed at the World Cup, has played just 15 minutes of competitive action, so could also start.

Exciting youngster Chuba Akpom, who is flourishing for the U21 side, having scored six goals in just four matches, will be included in the 18-man squad, although is unlikely to start.

Koeman is expected to name a strong side for this third-round clash, as he views this competition as the most realistic prospect of silverware. Another new-signing Sadio Mane has recently received his work-permit and the former Ajax boss expects him to be involved at the Emirates.

This contest could be too close to call. If Arsenal were at full-strength you would confidently back them; but with Wenger expected to ring the changes and with Southampton in excellent form, the Saints may be quietly confident of progressing. Despite this, with the offensive quality Arsenal possess, they will still pose a threat irrespective of the team selection.

Injury News:

The Gunners have no new injury concerns from their match against Aston Villa, but will still be without Olivier Giroud (ankle), Theo Walcott (knee) and Mathieu Debuchy (ankle). Nacho Monreal is still absent with a back-injury, with Wenger confirming that he’ll miss the next four matches. Mathieu Flamini will also return to the 18 after missing the matches against Dortmund and Villa with a ‘minor’ groin injury.

Southampton are still without long-term absentee Jay Rodriguez whose anterior cruciate ligament injury kept him out of this summer’s World Cup. Alderweireld is unlikely to start after he sustained a hamstring injury in training, whilst James-Ward Prowse and Maya Yoshida are both doubts after picking up knocks at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday. However, Koeman has confirmed the injuries to Ward-Prowse and Yoshida are ‘not big’ and hopes that they can recover for Tuesday’s clash.

Arsene Wenger:

“If you look at the talents they have sold over the years, they could have been contenders to win the Premier League. They have done a fantastic job at Southampton. They deserve a lot of credit. They are miracle-workers at Southampton.”

Ronald Koeman:

"Of course, it's a great start, maybe nobody expected this, but we believe in our ambition and our spirit. We have to keep fighting every day to continue with the results we've had until now."

Statistics:

- Arsenal are unbeaten against Southampton in their last ten competitive fixtures.

- Arsenal have never won the League Cup under Arsène Wenger, despite reaching two finals, where they lost 2-1 against both Chelsea and Birmingham.

- Southampton have progressed through the third round stage for three successive seasons, but have not reached the quarter finals since the 2003/2004 campaign.

- The last time Arsenal exited the League Cup at the third-round stage was in the 2002/2003 season, where they lost 3-2 at home to Sunderland.

- The last meeting between the sides in cup competition came in 2003, where the Gunners defeated Southampton 1-0 in the FA Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium.