Arsenal predicted XI v Saints: 19-year-old to fill in for ‘incredible’ star, £182k-a-week ace returns

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Arsenal have the opportunity to make amends for their FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton by taking on the same opponents in the Premier League tonight.

A weakened Gunners setup fell to a 1-0 defeat on Saturday, with Mikel Arteta’s team selection widely criticised and some of the club’s fringe players also slated.

Gabriel Magalhaes’ own goal proved the difference as a toothless Arsenal outfit was knocked out of the competition at the fourth-round stage.

The Gunners will take on the same opponents at the same ground tonight and hope to get into the top half of the team.

So, who could Mikel Arteta name in his starting XI?

A pretty straightforward selection in goal – Bernd Leno played on Saturday and should keep his place again.

Kieran Tierney is a doubt at left-back due to a calf issue, so Bukayo Saka could take the £25million man’s usual place.

The Scot, who Arteta says has “incredible” attitude, commitment and willingness, would be a huge absence tonight – hopefully he’s passed fit.

The rest of the back four that played on Saturday could also keep their places – Gabriel, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin.

Granit Xhaka should also stay put in the XI, but Mohamed Elneny is likely to make way for Thomas Partey.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will miss tonight’s game due to personal reasons, so Gabriel Martinelli should keep his place on the left.

Emile Smith Rowe, now the club’s undisputed choice at No. 10, should be back in the XI.

Saka has done superbly on the right flank in recent weeks, but the 19-year-old’s potential deployment at left-back means Nicolas Pepe could keep his spot.

Finally, Alexandre Lacazette should return to the XI and lead the line, the £182,000-a-week ace very much back on form.

Arsenal predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Saka; Partey, Xhaka; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Lacazette