Can Inexperienced Arsenal Fend Off Southampton?

Southampton travel to London in search of a Capital One Cup upset, as they meet Arsenal in tonight`s (23rd September, 7:45) third round clash. Ronald Koeman`s men easily dispatched Millwall away at the Den in round two with two second half goals from Jack Cork and top scorer Graziano Pelle. The Gunners` duties in the Champions League means that they have received a bye through to this stage.

Both sides will be looking to improve on their fourth round exits last season as Arsenal fell afoul of fellow North London boys Chelsea with a 2-0 home defeat, whilst the Saints failed to overcome Sunderland away at Teesside. Goals from Phil Bardsley and Sebastian Larsson saw Maya Yoshida`s effort a mere consolation as the Black Cats reigned victorious on their way to their appearance at Wembley. Prior to their elimination, Southampton had seen off League 1 sides Barnsley and Bristol City. The Gunners` only victory in the competition came in the third round - they had again received a bye up until this stage, sneaking past West Bromwich Albion on penalties after the 90 minutes ended with the teams tied one all.

It will be the job of the home club to justify favouritism as a number of bookies make them 11/10 (bet365, Betvictor, Bwin, paddy Power, Sports Winner, Titan Bet) to stop their opponents in their tracks. Despite their superior Premier League standing, betfred are offering 10/3 on the Saints finding themselves in the fourth round draw. A level score after 90 minutes is 11/4 with the same bookmaker.

Arsene Wenger is expected to use to the tie as an opportunity to rotate his squad, seeing experienced faces replaced with younger squad members keen to get competitive games under their belt. Three such players include teenagers Isaac Hayden and Chuba Akpom and 21-year-old Semi Ajayi. Both Hayden and Akpom have already made their debuts for their club, the former in last year`s Capital One Cup encounter against West Brom at the Hawthorns, a match in which Akpom also featured. Ajayi, however, is looking to penetrate the first-team for the first time after joining from Charlton Athletic in 2013.

With Hayden and Ajayi both young defenders, the Gunners boss may choose to play the more experienced Calum Chambers in favour of 19-year-old Spaniard Hector Bellerin. The pair fight to replace Matieu Debuchy who has been sidelined for three months after knee surgery.

Speaking in a press conference, Wenger described the Frenchman`s injury as a `blow`.

`How big [a blow] it will be we will only know afterwards as it will be down to how well we replace him. We bought Chambers for that.` The longest-serving Premier League manager told journalists.

Debuchy was stretchered off in the team`s 2-2 draw at home to champions Manchester City this month. Arsenal are also without England international Theo Walcott who is set to be out for another three weeks, ten months after damaging his left knee in the Gunners` FA Cup clash against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

One man who won`t have to stare at the four walls of the physio`s room is defensive midfielder Abou Diaby, having been missing since suffering a string of unfortunate injuries.

Joel Campbell, David Ospina and Tomas Rosicky are also set to feature at the Emirates tonight.

The home team will have to deal with an unknown quantity in Southampton`s new striker Sadio Mane. The 22-year-old Senegalese winger signed for the Saints for £10 million from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer but has been prevented from playing after issues with his work permit. With Mane facing a back-line of youngsters and a back-up goalkeeper in Ospina, paddy Power`s 16/5 on Koeman`s transfer grabbing a goal on his debut looks very tempting indeed. For those who fancy Arsenal`s inexperienced men, Coral are offering 18/5 on the home side winning without conceding.

Go To bet365

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23/09/2014     © Frixo 2026