Arsenal fired warning for Southampton showdown amid new double injury boost | OneFootball

Gunners told they have weaknesses that can be exploited in FA Cup quarter-final trip

This could yet turn out to be a very special season indeed for Arsenal, who have a nine-point lead at the top-flight summit with seven games to go as they chase a first title for 22 years and are also strong favourites against Southampton and Sporting respectively in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League.

Mikel Arteta will be desperate to seal a swift return to Wembley, having seen his side easily brushed aside 2-0 by title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final ahead of the international break, ending their hopes of an unprecedented trophy quadruple this season.

And while Southampton boss Tonda Eckert was quick to shower Arsenal with praise, he believes he has identified more than one weakness that could be exploited by his team on the south coast.

"It is a great team," the German said of Arsenal at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “I think rightfully every single manager in a press conference praises what Arsenal does and I can only continue that praise.

"It's a fantastic team with many, many answers to problems that you give them, so the preparation was fun this week because there's many more iterations of what you could potentially do.

"You see that they do have answers to many possible solutions, but I think we have found a couple of bits where we are able to hurt them and we just need to make sure we bring that on the pitch."

Southampton look set to be boosted by the return of Leo Scienza against Arsenal after the Brazilian winger missed the last three games with a groin strain, while captain Jack Stephens is also progressing well after suffering an ankle issue during an open training session on Monday.

Midfielders Flynn Downes and Kuryu Matsuki are suspended after both being booked in back-to-back FA Cup matches against Doncaster and Fulham, though striker Cyle Larin is expected to be available after a long trip on international duty with Canada.

Mads Roerslev, Welington, Jay Robinson and Alex McCarthy are all still sidelined through injury.

“Leo is good," said Eckert. “He’s put a lot of work in during the international break. He was on the pitch today with the boys and it’s looking positive.

“He’s [Stephens] been getting better day-by-day. There was a little bit of swelling in his ankle but he’s getting better every day.

“They [Southampton’s international players] all look good and ready for the last block of games. Travel has been a bit longer for Cyle than the other boys. But they’re all happy to be back in and ready to go.”