Match Pack: Saints vs Arsenal

Southampton vs Arsenal

St Mary’s Stadium

Emirates FA Cup

Saturday 23 January, 12:15 GMT

Referee: Peter Bankes

Assistants: Neil Davies, James Mainwaring

Fourth official: Graham Scott

VAR: David Coote

Assistant VAR: Stephen Child

The fixture will be broadcast live on BT Sport.

Saints will be hoping to go at least one better than their performance in the competition last season, where they were knocked out in the fourth round by Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham.

Saints were only in FA Cup action a matter of days ago with a 2-0 victory over League One side Shrewsbury.

Arsenal also overcame their third-round opposition with a 2-0 score line. As reigning champions, they’ll be hoping to match last year’s incredible run in the competition.

The two sides sit side-by-side in the Premier League table at the moment and will undoubtedly go toe-to-toe in battle on Saturday.

The winner of Saturday’s fixture will go on to play either Wolves or National League North side Chorley FC who have continued to impress this campaign.

Ralph Hasenhüttl is still limited in terms of selection, with Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Redmond, Jannik Vestergaard, Will Smallbone and youngsters Michael Obafemi and Nathan Tella all side lined due to injury.

There is some positive news, though, as Danny Ings is back in line to feature for the first time since Saints’ Premier League win over Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta has a much wider squad to select from but he will be without Dani Ceballos and Pablo Mari.

FORM GUIDE

Southampton:
Shrewsbury Town (h) 2-0 (Nlundulu, Ward-Prowse)
Leicester (a) 2-0
Liverpool (h) 1-0 (Ings)
West Ham United (h) 0-0
Fulham (a) 0-0

Arsenal:
Newcastle United (h) 3-0 (Aubameyang, Saka)
Crystal Palace (a) 0-0
Newcastle United (h) 2-0 (Smith Rowe, Aubameyang)
West Bromwich Albion (a) 0-4 (Tierney, Saka, Lacazette)
Brighton (a) 0-1 (Lacazette)

THE MANAGERS

Ralph Hasenhüttl: "For us, it's important to be brave, to show up again and show our development, and when we play a really good game we have a chance to win."

Mikel Arteta: “The pressure that this football club brings is to win today. What you did yesterday doesn't count anymore, it's about tomorrow, the next game, the next goal. I just focus on that.”

Ings kick-started 2021 in perfect fashion, netting an exceptional goal against his former club.

Since returning a positive Covid-19 test, the return of Ings has been greatly anticipated by many and his presence on Saturday could be vital if Saints are to continue in the competition.

The Gunners 20-year-old midfielder has been the talk of the town so far this season and his impressive spell of form shows no signs of slowing down.

It was Smith Rowe's goal that fired Arsenal ahead in extra-time of their third-round clash with Newcastle United.

TOP PERFORMERS 

Inclusive of all competitions 

Southampton: 

Goals:
Danny Ings 7
James Ward-Prowse 5
Ché Adams 4

Assists:
Adams, Ward-Prowse 4
Danny Ings 3
Walcott, Armstrong 2

Arsenal:

Goals:
Alexandre Lacazette 9
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 8
Pépé, Nketiah 5

Assists:
Smith Rowe 5
Pépé, Saka, Willock, Willian, Bellerin 3
Tierney 2

HEAD TO HEAD

Played: 90
Saints: 21
Draws: 25
Arsenal: 44

DID YOU KNOW?

- Southampton have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 FA Cup matches.

- Southampton have only lost 4 out of 11 home games this season. 

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