A wave of injury concerns has swept through Arsenal, leaving Mikel Arteta facing a challenging selection puzzle ahead of the FA Cup tie against Southampton. Ten senior players returned from international duty carrying varying degrees of strain, a stark reminder of the physical toll of a demanding season.
The recent Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City marked the end of Arsenal’s pursuit of a historic quadruple, but the focus now shifts to navigating a congested schedule with a depleted squad. Arteta must carefully assess the fitness of key players, knowing crucial Champions League and Premier League fixtures loom large.
Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke appear almost certain to miss the Southampton clash, with Madueke spotted wearing a knee brace after England’s recent draw. Arteta is understandably hesitant to risk players like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Martin Zubimendi, and his first-choice central defenders, prioritizing their availability for more significant battles.
Despite the setbacks, Arsenal possesses enough depth to field a competitive XI. The goalkeeper position, however, is likely to see a change, with Kepa potentially sidelined after a costly error in the recent final. David Raya, firmly established as the number one, is expected to reclaim his place between the posts.
The heart of the defense will be without its usual anchors, Gabriel and William Saliba, both being carefully managed with existing injuries. Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera are poised to step in, offering a solid central defensive pairing while maintaining Arteta’s preferred balance of left and right-footed players.
Ben White, returning from England duty, could feature at right-back, while promising teenager Marli Salmon may earn another opportunity after a strong performance in the previous round. On the opposite flank, Myles Lewis-Skelly is expected to gain valuable game time.
The midfield presents a more complex situation, particularly if Rice and Zubimendi require further rest. Christian Norgaard is well-equipped to provide defensive stability, and the potential return of captain Martin Odegaard would be a significant boost after missing the last seven games.
Odegaard’s return is crucial, as the creative responsibility will fall heavily on his shoulders in Eze’s absence. Kai Havertz could rotate with Odegaard, offering a more physical presence when needed, providing tactical flexibility in the midfield.
Up front, Viktor Gyokeres is expected to lead the line, buoyed by a recent hat-trick for his national team. Despite still having a World Cup qualifier to navigate, he’s in line to start against Southampton, eager to build on his momentum.
Gabriel Martinelli, a consistent performer in cup competitions, is likely to feature on the left wing. On the right, Max Dowman could be rewarded with a starting position following his impressive man-of-the-match display in the previous round.
