Puel eyes cup opportunity

Saints continue to fight on all fronts, with this match sandwiched between some key Premier League and Europa League games, but Puel has not lost sight of the value attached to the last eight tie at the Emirates on Wednesday.

The Saints boss will continue to have one eye on keeping the team as fresh as possible, and believes his team can be successful in cup competitions.

“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.”

Saints have bowed out at this stage of the competition in both of the previous two seasons, and Puel is well aware of the rewards that are attached to going all the way.

“It’s an opportunity for Southampton to win something and perhaps to have the ability to play European games for the next year,” he said.

“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 [Josh] 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.”