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Southampton vs Arsenal: FA Cup – Opposition Threats

By Edward Waugh

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (R) celebrates with teammates Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Cedric Soares of Arsenal after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (R) celebrates with teammates Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Cedric Soares of Arsenal after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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James Ward-Prowse of Southampton battles for possession with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (Photo by Peter Cziborra – Pool/Getty Images)
James Ward-Prowse of Southampton battles for possession with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (Photo by Peter Cziborra – Pool/Getty Images) /

The Saints continue their FA Cup-run against Arsenal this weekend after their midweek victory against Shrewsbury – to which the south-coast club cruised in, despite a problematic month where injuries have plagued the first-team squad.

Despite this, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has stated of his desire to have a lengthy run in England’s oldest football competition, with The Gunners standing in his way of reaching the 5th round of fixtures – who famously have won the FA Cup a record 14 times, one of those times being against Saints in the final all the way back in 2003.

Since the last time the two clubs met back in December, Arsenal have had a surge in form, not losing since boxing-day and scoring goals for fun after shooting blanks since the start of the season. Whilst Southampton have only scored one goal in five Premier League games and proceeded to win one game from the mentioned goal – chance creation a massive problem currently for Hasenhuttl’s men.

Arsenal can credit their surge in form due to changes in the starting line-up, manager Mikel Arteta making some bold and vital changes for the London-club that has seen them win five of their last six games in all competitions. Going into this game, the Saints will need to try and nullify said players that have been the catalyst in Arsenal’s recent good form, mentioned below.