Southampton vs Arsenal LIVE: Injuries mean selection issues for Mikel Arteta ahead of FA Cup quarter-final – UK Times

This will be the sixth FA Cup tie between Southampton and Arsenal.

The Gunners progressed from/won each of the first four in 1926-27, 1978-79, 2002-03, and 2016-17, but the Saints won the last 1-0 in the 2020-21 fourth round.

Southampton XI: Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Manning; Bragg, Jander, Fellows, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart

Arsenal XI: Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Odegaard, Havertz; Dowman, Jesus, Martinelli

Arsenal are preparing for their most important run of fixtures in over 20 years – but Mikel Arteta is facing a growing injury list as a host of his star players have withdrawn from international duty over the last week.

The Gunners may have lost the Carabao Cup final to title rivals Manchester City but they remain alive in their three most important trophies this season, with a nine-point lead over City in the Premier League and through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup.

Mikel Arteta says that today’s game is an opportunity to head back to Wembley this season.

“Huge competition, so related to the history of our football club,” said the Gunners boss.

“We’re going to play a team that is in a really good moment, they have won so many games recently, they’re in a really good moment.

“You know the expectations, the crowd, the environment that they are going to create, so we are ready for that, and we want to be at Wembley again, so we have the opportunity to do that again.”

“No it’s not (serious),” Mikel Arteta told reporters on Friday when asked how serious Noni Madueke’s injury was.

“It looked really bad, Noni was really worried especially after what happened to him in his other knee a few weeks ago,” Arteta added.

“He was out for six weeks (last time), but no, he’s nowhere near that injury, so that’s really good news.”

Kepa gifted Manchester City their opening goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat a fortnight ago.

The 31-year-old has not played at all in the Premier League this season, with appearances only in the Carabao and FA Cups and a Champions League dead rubber against Kairat.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is “ready” to return in goal following his error in the Carabao Cup final, Mikel Arteta has confirmed. The back-up has played every minute in the FA Cup this season and Arteta is ready to support the Spaniard.

“He is ready to play,” said Arteta. “I’m never going to judge a player or make a decision because he has made an error. Attitude, behaviour, yes, 100 per cent, but an error is part of football, and anybody can do it.

“I don’t know if he needed it (an arm around the shoulder), but he has had it. Just in case. From all of them. From his team-mates first, then myself, all the staff, and hopefully all our supporters.

“I don’t think he needed it because he’s got so much experience, and he’s been through all kinds of different scenarios in his career, so he’s more than ready to play.”

Mikel Arteta launched a defence of his players after the sight of 10 Arsenal stars withdrawing from international duty raised some eyebrows. The Arsenal manager said it was all “speculation”.

“We have very good relationship and communication with most of the national teams – certainly with [England manager] Thomas [Tuchel] too. We have been extremely supportive all the time,” he said.

“When you have to communicate the state of every player, we are always honest and a medical decision had to be made. That was clear what the conclusion was.

“When you are fit and available to play for the national team, you have to play. It makes us so proud that we had that many players in the national team. Players are desperate to play for their nation. I know how important it is to them. We are fully supportive of that and when we can do it, we do it.”

Amid the fuss over Mikel Arteta withdrawing players from international duty, there’s a bigger story about why so many top clubs are chasing multiple trophies writes Miguel Delaney in his latest Inside Football newsletter

Mikel Arteta withdrew 10 players from international duty as worries over possible injuries grew following Noni Madueke’s knock whilst playing for England. His knee problem is said to be a minor one but he will not feature in this game.

Mikel Merino is out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury and it looks likely that Eberechi Eze will not feature as he was ruled out of action before the international break.

Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard are also doubts due to minor niggles while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were withdrawn from the England squad due to small injury issues as well.