Claude Puel has spoken of who will make the squad for the trip to the Emirates and who will sit it out.
Clude Puel has revealed that both Steven Davis and Sofiane Boufal will return to the squad for the trip to Arsenal after missing the win over Everton, however long term injury Matt Targett will miss the trip as will Dusan Tadic who suffered a broken nose on International duty.
Arsenal will be without Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Debuchy is also out with a hamstring problem, but forward Lucas Perez is available for the tie at the Emirates Stadium after an ankle injury.
Puel also hinted that he may also rest Josh Sims after his explosive debut on Sunday although Saints fans will not want to hear that he is ready to continue with the mix and match policy for midweek cup games.
"To win this competition it’s important to win tomorrow,” he said.
"Every game is very difficult and in different competitions for the moment for us the most important is to stay qualified in different competitions and we will see this in the second part the possibilities to win something.
"For the moment it is important to see this game against Arsenal, keep a good concentration and to have a good performance and after we will see.”
"It’s an opportunity for Southampton to win something and perhaps to have the ability to play European games for the next year,” Puel continued.
"It’s an important game but it’s important also to consider and respect our philosophy. It’s not just for me, 11 players and experienced players, but to give opportunities also like Sims the last game for young players to show their qualities.
"It’s a balance between good results and to continue this work with Southampton and to develop different players and to give also game time for players without time in the Premier League.”
A mixed message from the Frenchman who on one hand seems to be well aware that it is important to win trophies, but on the other seems prepared to gamble by not putting out his strongest side.
Although I agree with Puel's philosophy, I also believe that you have to prioritise some games and the result is far more important than giving a few youngsters a game.
With Arsenal missing key players and also likely to rest players this is a great chance, I want us to go for it, if we lose I want us to do so knowing that we have given it our best shot and not because we have fallen short because of a weakened side.
The players seem to have intimated just as much in various interviews this week, the squad seem to want the strongest team out and players usually rested like Ryan Bertrand want to play and win trophies.
This is a key moment for Claude Puel, he needs to show his senior players that Southampton Football Club want to win trophies and not just develop youngsters.