Get set for Southampton's EFL Cup quarter-final clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, with our comprehensive match preview.
What’s at stake?
Saints progressed to this stage with a victory over Sunderland at St Mary’s courtesy of Sofiane Boufal’s sensational strike and they go to the Emirates looking to book their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 1986/87.
They won the most recent League Cup meeting with the hosts in the 2014/15 campaign, winning 2-1 in the third round.
Arsenal though will also see this as an opportunity for silverware, having last been finalists in the competition in 2011, when they lost out to Birmingham City.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted a brace in the last round for Arsene Wenger’s men as they overcame Championship side Reading at home.
Team news
Southampton: Dušan Tadić remains out for the trip to the Emirates Stadium, but manager Claude Puel has confirmed that Steven Davis and Sofiane Boufal, who missed the clash with Everton due to illness, are back in contention.
Arsenal: Olivier Giroud is absent for the hosts with a slight groin problem, while his compatriot Mathieu Debuchy has had a scan on his hamstring injury.
Lucas Perez will return to the squad. The former Deportivo striker scored in the 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest earlier in the competition.
Form guide
Southampton’s last five:
Everton (h) W 1-0
AC Sparta Praha (a) L 0-1 (Europa League)
Liverpool (h) D 0-0
Hull City (a) L 2-1
Internazionale (h) W 2-1 (Europa League)
Arsenal’s last five:
AFC Bournemouth (h) W 3-1
Paris Saint Germain (h) D 2-2 (Champions League)
Manchester United (a) D 1-1
Tottenham Hotspur (h) D 1-1
Ludogorets (a) W 3-2
Top performers
Charlie Austin is now just one goal away from double figures after his early strike against Everton in the Premier League.
Top scorers: Charlie Austin (9), Nathan Redmond (3)
Most assists: Six players (1)
While Alexis Sanchez leads the way in terms of goals for the Gunners this season, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored the last three of their goals in this competition.
The England international’s double was enough to see off Reading in the last round and he also scored to wrap up the 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the third round.
Indeed, nobody has been directly involved in more EFL Cup goals with those three goals and an assist to his name.
Top scorers: Alexis Sanchez (8), Theo Walcott (6), Mesut Özil (3), Olivier Giroud (3)
Most assists: Alex Iwobi (3), Alexis Sánchez (3)
Previous meetings
All-time record:
Played: 90
Southampton: 19
Draws: 25
Arsenal: 46
Last four meetings:
September 2016: Arsenal 2-1 Southampton (Cech og)
February 2016: Arsenal 0-0 Southampton
December 2015: Southampton 4-0 Arsenal (Martina, Long (2), Fonte)
January 2015: Southampton 2-0 Arsenal (Mane, Tadić)
Did you know?
The Gunners have progressed from just one of their last five League Cup quarter-finals, last doing so in 2010/11 with a 2-0 win over Wigan.
Not at the game?
Don’t worry if you’re not at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night as we'll keep you right up to date with the action.
Our Matchday Live centre on southamptonfc.com will feature build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, as well as live updates from the game and FREE audio commentary.
Additionally, our social media channels will also be offering exclusive, behind-the-scenes access, as well as updates from the match.
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