Arsenal could name 11 changes vs Southampton as Arteta faces selection dilemma

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a significant selection headache when the Gunners travel to face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend, with potentially 11 players unavailable due to injury concerns.

The north London side secured their place in the last eight with a hard-fought victory over League One outfit Mansfield Town, requiring late goals from Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze to overturn Will Evans’ equaliser after Noni Madueke had given Arsenal an early lead.

Southampton earned their quarter-final spot with a dramatic stoppage-time penalty victory over Fulham and have remained unbeaten since that triumph, winning three and drawing one of their subsequent fixtures under Tonda Eckert.

Goalkeeper controversy continues

According to Football London, Arteta may persist with Kepa Arrizabalaga between the posts despite criticism following the Spaniard’s performance in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City. The Arsenal boss has shown reluctance to deviate from his cup goalkeeper policy, even after Kepa’s costly error at Wembley.

The selection would see David Raya remain on the sidelines despite being the club’s established Premier League number one, as Arteta looks to maintain consistency in cup competitions.

Youth gets opportunity

With numerous first-team regulars potentially sidelined, academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly could be handed a rare start, likely featuring in midfield alongside Christian Norgaard and Kai Havertz.

The defensive reshuffle may see Riccardo Calafiori shifted into central defence to cover for Gabriel Magalhaes, while teenage talent Max Dowman could earn another opportunity on the wing if Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard fail to recover from their respective fitness concerns.

Gabriel Jesus appears set to lead the line having started in each of the previous FA Cup rounds, with Gabriel Martinelli expected to provide support from the left flank.

Balancing act required

The scale of potential changes reflects Arteta’s need to manage his squad carefully, with key players requiring rest following international duty while others work their way back from injury setbacks.

The situation presents both challenge and opportunity for Arsenal, with fringe players able to stake claims for increased involvement while the manager seeks to maintain momentum in the competition.

Southampton will be confident of causing an upset against a potentially weakened Arsenal side, having demonstrated their ability to trouble Premier League opposition already in this cup run. The Saints’ recent unbeaten streak suggests they will provide stern resistance at St. Mary’s Stadium.