Arsenal have named their side for the FA Cup tie at Southampton, with Kepa Arrizabalaga starting ahead of David Raya and Martin Odegaard returning to the XI, while Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze are not involved.
Arsenal have confirmed their team to face Southampton in the FA Cup, with Mikel Arteta opting for Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal rather than David Raya, after much speculation following the Carabao Cup Final
The biggest selection call had been in the goalkeeper position, but the answer is now clear. Raya is only on the bench at St Mary’s, with Kepa handed the start as Arsenal look to reach the semi-finals.
Arteta has also brought Martin Odegaard straight back into the starting line-up after his recent knee issue, while Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli both start in attack. Max Dowman is included from the outset too, as Arsenal make several changes for the cup tie on the south coast.
Arsenal XI vs Southampton: Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Odegaard, Havertz; Dowman, Martinelli, Jesus.
Substitutes: Raya, Saliba, Gyokeres, Madueke, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Harriman-Annous, O’Neill, Salmon.
There is also a boost in the matchday squad for Noni Madueke, who is named among the substitutes after Arteta said his knee injury was not as bad as first feared. Odegaard’s inclusion from the start is another positive after he had been in contention to return.
As for those missing, Jurrien Timber is not in the squad despite Arteta claimig he could be in contention, while Eberechi Eze remains absent after Arteta confirmed he was unavailable ahead of the quarter-final. Piero Hincapie had also been ruled out before the match and does not feature.
The selection means Arteta has gone strong in key areas despite leaving some senior options on the bench, with Gabriel, Odegaard, Havertz, Martinelli and Jesus all starting. The immediate talking point, though, is in goal. On a night when Arsenal had a choice between their two senior keepers, Arteta has gone with Kepa.