Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has expressed his surprise at Southampton’s current predicament ahead of Sunday’s meeting at the Emirates Stadium.
Saints are currently 18th in the Premier League and battling to preserve their top-flight status, with the Gunners in 6th and it looking like winning the Europa League is the only route to play Champions League football next term.
Asked about this wekeend’s opponents, Wenger said: “They have a good squad and one with quality.
“I don’t know what has happened to them but that can happen in the game. This is a club that has done exceptional work and deserves huge credit.
“You look at the amount of players that they have produced in the last 10 years and it is frightening.
“I have a huge respect for Southampton because they have done an exceptional quality of work in English football.”