Mikel Arteta could be without several big names when Arsenal face Southampton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup this weekend, unless, of course, his players make a miraculous recovery.
Mikel Arteta may raise eyebrows with his team selection this week. Arsenal will face Southampton at St. Mary’s on Saturday evening with each looking to book a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
The Gunners stumbled into the quarter-finals last month, beating Mansfield Town en route. Noni Madueke broke the deadlock before half-time, but the north Londoners’ lead was short-lived, with Will Evans coming off the bench at the break to start the process.
Struggling to break the League One outfit, Arteta brought on Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze, who found the net within minutes of the pitch. Southampton also got on the line, scoring a stoppage-time penalty against Fulham to seal a place in the quarter-finals.
Saints have remained unbeaten since their trip to Craven Cottage, winning three and drawing one. Tonda Eckert’s team will be hoping another Premier League giants kill is in store this weekend.
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So, with that being said, journalists football.london have chosen their starting line-up to face Southampton.
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Jake Stokes
Mikel Arteta could have up to 11 players unavailable for selection due to injury when Arsenal face Southampton this weekend. But, for some reason, which I can’t put my finger on, I don’t think that the Gunners will be down, when many withdraw from international duties and appear in the team on the day of the game.
Although the Spaniard would rather start David Raya, he may double down and give Kepa Arrizabalaga a header to prove a point. Indeed, the latter sat between the sticks for the Carabao Cup tie, having played in every game of the previous competition.
Arteta was heavily scrutinized for playing Kepa, who in fact cost Arsenal a piece of silverware. The Gunners boss stuck to his guns after the game and is unlikely to change his tune this week.
At the back, Arteta could give Myles Lewis-Skelly a rare start, replacing Riccardo Calafiori at center half to cover for Gabriel Magalhaes. In the middle of the park, Declan Rice is likely to have Christian Norgaard, while Kai Havertz plays a slightly more advanced role.
Unless Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka make a miraculous recovery, Max Dowman and Gabriel Martinelli could start on the wings. Then up, Gabriel Jesus, who started every FA Cup game.
Although Arteta will be desperate to return to winning ways, he must not be swayed by his team’s selection. The Spaniard needs to keep his key players fresh, the ‘injured’ out of the field, and give the non-starters a chance to compete for more minutes.
Jake’s team will start against Southampton: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Christian Norgaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz; Max Dowman, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.
Kieran Horn
Mikel Arteta is set to have 11 Arsenal players unavailable through injury for their FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton. The three concerns heading into the March international break have now increased to double figures as Arteta must carefully manage the behavior of several star players.
Considering the preparations that go through their trip to Southampton, changes are possible, but David Raya should return to the goal and after Ben White, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori, and Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie are rested after they all lost international duty.
Myles Lewis-Skelly finally gets his chance in midfield while Hale Ender is joined by Christian Norgaard and Kai Havertz, while Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard get more time to recover from different issues.
The front three is made up of Max Dowman, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard on the bench due to their ongoing problems with Noni Madueke outside the team.
Kieran’s first team to face Southampton: David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori; Christian Norgaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz; Max Dowman, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli.
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