Lucas Perez
Lucas Perez (R) has returned to training and is likely to feature when Arsenal take on Southampton in the League Cup quarter-finals Getty

Arsenal host Southampton in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday (30 November).

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 7.45pm GMT. There is no live TV coverage of the game in the UK.

Overview

Arsenal welcome Southampton in the last eight of the EFL Cup as they look to make it 20 games unbeaten in all competitions since their opening day loss to Liverpool in the Premier League. Arsene Wenger has never won the League Cup during his 20 years with the Gunners and will be keen to add it to his kitty before he calls time on his career with the club, which could be at the end of the current campaign.

The French manager is likely to make a host of changes to his team and has already confirmed that it will be a mix of youth and experience. Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi are certain to be given a rest, while Lucas Perez returns to the squad following a spell on the sidelines with injury. Olivier Giroud misses out with a slight muscular problem, which could see the Spaniard lead the line.

Southampton, on the other hand, have managed just two wins in their last five, but won their latest encounter against Everton in the Premier League. It was more than just three points as it was former manager Ronald Koeman's first visit to St Mary's following his departure to the Toffees in the summer.

Steven Davis and Sofiane Boufal are available to the manager after recovering from a minor knock and illness respectively. Claude Puel is also likely to make a few changes to the squad, but will put out a strong side, as he has made it clear that his team has the talent to go all the way in the League Cup and pick up the club's first silverware since 1976.

Arsenal and Southampton have already faced each other once in the Premier League earlier in the season, which went the Gunners' way after Santi Cazorla successfully converted a last minute penalty.

What Managers Say

Arsene Wenger: We will have a mixture of youth and experience but still 90% of a first-team squad. Debuchy is out and Giroud has a slight problem — he's out, too. Pérez is in the squad and Jenkinson will play. I rested Carl completely against Bournemouth because he had played in two big games [against Manchester United and Paris St-Germain] and I felt he needed a breather [having only recently returned from a nine-month injury lay-off]. Sometimes, mentally, three games in a week demands a lot. Carl's back in and we'll put Gabriel in the centre.

Claude Puel: I believe [it is possible to win the EFL Cup] with my players — but I do not know if it is possible first time. Before I consider winning it, we have to win [against Arsenal]. Every game is very difficult. The most important objective is to stay qualified in [as many competitions as possible] and we will see in the second part of the season.

Betting Odds (betfair)

  • Arsenal Win: 17/20
  • Draw: 14/5
  • Southampton Win: 18/5

Team News

Arsenal

Possible XI: Martinez; Jenkinson, Gabriel, Holding, Gibbs; Elneny, Ramsey; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Reine-Adelaide; Lucas.

Southampton

Possible XI: Forster; Yoshida, Fonte, Stephens, McQueen; Reed, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Boufal; Rodriguez, Austin.

EFL Cup