Arsenal XI vs Southampton: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for FA Cup | OneFootball

Max Dowman in line for start after international dropouts

Martin Odegaard could make his Arsenal return for the FA Cup trip to Southampton on Saturday night, with Max Dowman also in line to start.

Odegaard has not played since February 22 due to a knee injury but has overcome that and is expected to be in the squad at St Mary's.

Mikel Arteta confirmed that Jurrien Timber, who has missed the last two matches with a groin injury, could also be back.

Noni Madueke is unavailable after suffering an injury while on international duty with England, but the winger is not expected to face a significant spell on the sidelines.

“It looked really bad," Arteta said.

"Noni was really worried, especially after what happened in his other knee a few weeks out and he was out for six weeks. But no, it’s nowhere near that injury. That was really good news.”

Asked whether it could be a matter of days before Madueke is back, Arteta responded: "I think so."

Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie have both also been ruled out of the Southampton match.

Arsenal had six other players withdraw from international duty, though most of those were related to managing ongoing issues rather than any significant setbacks.

Arteta said only "let's see" when asked if any of those stars would be available, but the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are all expected to be rested.

Dowman is in contention to start on the right wing. That would be the 16-year-old's first appearance since he dragged Arsenal to victory off the bench against Everton.

There should be rare minutes for Christian Norgaard and Gabriel Jesus, while Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to keep his place despite his major mistake in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Odegaard, Havertz; Dowman, Jesus, Martinelli

Injured: Eze, Hincapie, Madueke, Merino

Doubts: Odegaard, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Rice, Zubimendi, Saka, Trossard

Time and date: 8pm BST on Saturday, April 4, 2026

Venue: St Mary's Stadium