Southampton: Team news and predicted line-up for Arsenal FA Cup clash

Southampton are preparing for a home double-header with Arsenal this week with FA Cup and Premier League meetings both coming in the next four days.

Saints advanced to the Fourth-Round of the cup with a 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday evening and will face either Chorley or Wolves if they manage to see off the Gunners, although Mikel Arteta’s side are enjoying an upturn in form at the moment.

These two teams played out a competitive 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium back in mid-December, although their last meeting in the FA Cup came back in 2016/17 as a strong Arsenal side saw off a much changed Saints by a scoreline of 5-0.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash though, both sides have been boosted by a return to fitness of their respective main goalscorers.

Ings returns to boost Saints

The main news for Saints this week is that Danny Ings is available for selection after returning to training following his spell of self-isolation.

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Speculation about his future will continue to rumble on in the background but he remains a crucial part of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans across all competitions.

Arsenal are boosted by a fully fit Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and will hand a late fitness test to midfielder Dani Ceballos ahead of facing Saints.

Defender Pablo Mari will miss this weekend with a calf injury though and is on track to return to action in a week’s time.

Importantly, both sides will be able to make five substitutions during the game as part of FA Cup rules for this season. This should allow Saints to field a strong side whilst keeping an eye on another meeting with Arsenal on Tuesday.

Predicted Saints line-up

Fraser Forster; Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens, Ryan Bertrand; James Ward-Prowse, Ibrahima Diallo; Stuart Armstrong, Theo Walcott; Danny Ings, Che Adams

There will still be places on the bench for players like Dan N’Lundulu, Jake Vokins, Yan Valery and other who impressed in the Third-Round win over Shrewsbury and there will be more minutes for some as the game time of key players is managed before Tuesday.

Fraser Forster may keep his place as the cup goalkeeper for this game with Alex McCarthy returning for Tuesday.