Arsene Wenger has admitted that although he will technically field his first team against Southampton, he will include a few youth players as well.

As is the norm during cup matches, the boss is choosing to rotate his starting XI against the Saints and will therefore most likely be resting a couple of our star players. I imagine that Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will either be on the bench or not feature at all, especially considering the German international was pictured in Sweden following the Burnley match. However, Wenger could surprise me and play them regardless.

When it comes to youth players, we could see the likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jeff Reine-Adelaide, who have both already played for Arsenal’s senior team during cup matches this season.

It’ll also be an opportunity for players returning to fitness, like Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott, to get a run out. However, Wenger didn’t confirm this, he only mentioned that Walcott would be back in the squad.