Arsenal XI vs Southampton – Predicted lineup and team news

Arsenal head into Saturday night’s FA Cup quarter-final at St Mary’s Stadium knowing a clinical display against high-flying Southampton will secure a 31st appearance in the competition’s semi-finals and keep their historic treble bid alive. Mikel Arteta’s side have already accounted for Portsmouth, Wigan and Mansfield en route to the last eight, but the Spaniard must now navigate a mounting attacking injury crisis after a bruising international break.

Noni Madueke became the latest casualty, limping out of England duty with a knee problem that rules him out of contention. In his absence, 16-year-old Max Dowman is poised to make a second consecutive FA Cup start after becoming the club’s youngest ever Cup starter in the previous round. The teenager’s fearless display that night has convinced Arteta to keep faith with the winger on the right flank.

Further forward, Gabriel Martinelli – who tops the competition with five goal involvements since the third round – will carry the main goal threat, supported by Kai Havertz in the advanced midfield role. Gabriel Jesus is expected to spearhead the 4-2-3-1, while fresh legs arrive in midfield through Christian Nørgaard and academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly as rotation bites.

Defensively, William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori are set to return, flanked by Mosquera and Gabriel in front of Kepa Arrizabalaga, the goalkeeper retained despite his Carabao Cup final error. Martin Ødegaard and Jurriën Timber have both rejoined full training and should be named among the substitutes, though Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapié remain unavailable.

Victory tonight would extend Arsenal’s remarkable recent Cup pedigree: they have progressed from 14 of their last 16 quarter-finals. With kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST and live coverage on BBC One, TNT Sports 1, BBC iPlayer and discovery+, the stage is set for the Gunners to edge one step closer to Wembley.

Arsenal Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Nørgaard, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Havertz, Martinelli; Jesus