Tonight Arsenal play host to Southampton in the EFL Cup with the intention of reaching the semi-final of the competition and extending their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions.
At the moment, the Gunners look unstoppable in front of goal and are averaging almost three goals-per-game with much of the thanks being placed at the feet of Alexis Sanchez.
Arsene Wenger’s utilisation of his squad in recent weeks has brought about an unbeaten run including draws with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United of late.
Against Southampton, Wenger will face a resurgent team who have shown their capability to cause an upset against title challengers following draws away to Manchester City and home to Liverpool.
For the Gunners to ensure their place in the last four Arsene Wenger must pick this XI to overcome Claude Puel’s Saints and progress further in the competition…
GK: David Ospina
Known for his regular appearances in cup competitions, David Ospina should be recalled to face Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.
The understudy to Petr Cech, Ospina has proven himself a worthy number two, but he will face a difficult challenge against Southampton.
Ospina’s biggest weakness is his inability to remain calm under crosses and against this physical Saints team, the Colombian may struggle.
RB: Carl Jenkinson
The injury picked up by Hector Bellerin has proven a cause for concern for Arsene Wenger as both his other right-backs are relatively short of match fitness.
An injury picked up by Mathieu Debuchy last weekend leaves Carl Jenkinson as the club’s only fit right-back.
The Englishman must contain the fast-paced Southampton attack and cement his place in the starting XI for future games.
CB: Gabriel Paulista
The Brazilian defender has struggled with life in England, but tonight could provide Wenger with a question to ponder regarding his first-team status.
Gabriel has proven prone to a mistake in his short Arsenal career and for him to become a success, he must cut the minor, but costly, errors from his game.
Inspiring Arsenal to victory would improve his chances of featuring regularly for the Gunners as the Christmas period edges nearer.
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
Since Wenger persuaded Mustafi to swap Valencia for north London, the Gunners have not suffered a defeat in any competition, making him undroppable against Southampton.
The German international’s influence has been evident, and against the in-form Charlie Austin he is the man his manager will want.
LB: Kieran Gibbs
Injuries have been the downfall of Kieran Gibbs in recent years, but tonight is likely to provide the English left-back with the opportunity to stake his claim for a place in the team.
Gibbs is undeniably capable of competing against the league’s best teams, and a solid performance may see him start the league game against West Ham this weekend.
CM: Granit Xhaka
For so many years, Xhaka was the type of player missing from the Arsenal armory.
Now Wenger has his midfield hard-man, Xhaka continuously finds himself benched, but tonight could be his chance to shine.
The physicality of Southampton’s midfield is likely to see the Gunners overrun unless Xhaka is present.
CM: Aaron Ramsey
For weeks on end, Arsenal fans have been ordering Arsene Wenger to play both Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka in a midfield partnership.
Ramsey’s dynamism and ability to play from box-to-box makes him a unique asset for Wenger following the departure of Jack Wilshere.
With Mesut Ozil expected to be rested, the creativity in midfield is likely to come from the Wales international who has struggled for consistency thus far this campaign.
CAM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
As brutal as it may sound, you wouldn’t be far wrong to state Oxlade-Chamberlain’s progression since his move from Southampton in 2011 has stuttered.
The former Southampton academy graduate started against Bournemouth at the weekend and produced a respectable performance for his side.
Tonight, ‘the Ox’ has the chance to highlight the progression he has made in recent months and start to fulfil the potential he showed on the south coast nearly six years ago.
LW: Alex Iwobi
In recent weeks, Alex Iwobi has lost his place in the starting XI as the form of Theo Walcott continues to improve.
Iwobi will need to overcome a tight Southampton defence but his pace, and agility may prove a key contributor to whether Arsenal progress or not to the semi-final.
RW: Theo Walcott
Following his strike against Bournemouth on Sunday, Theo Walcott will be hungry to score the 100th goal of his ten-year club career.
It all started for Walcott at Southampton but tonight he will put loyalties aside and try and secure that landmark goal and ensure Arsenal’s place in the last four.
ST: Olivier Giroud
For a reason unbeknown to everyone, Wenger refuses to pick Giroud on a regular basis despite his impressive goalscoring run.
The French striker is starting to pick up the unwanted tag of being a ‘super-sub’, with his impact off the bench somewhat notorious.
Giroud will have to overcome the league’s most in-form defender in Virgil van Dijk if he is to find a way to goal tonight.