Southampton are set to field a makeshift team against Arsenal on the defensive end on Saturday, due to a number of enforced absences.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Wilfredo Caballero of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on October 24, 2020 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Wilfredo Caballero of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on October 24, 2020. (Photo by Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images)

As we covered earlier this week, Southampton are likely to have emergency goalkeeper signing Willy Caballero between the sticks on Saturday, due to injuries to both Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster.

The Saints were granted special permission to sign 40-year-old Caballero on an emergency basis, but he won’t be the only change to Southampton’s usual defensive lineup.

Centre-back Mohammed Salisu and holding midfielder Oriel Romeu both started Southampton’s last game, but both picked up yellow cards in the final 15 minutes.

As a result, they’ve each hit the five-card limit to earn accumulated booking suspensions for the Arsenal match.

On top of that, the Evening Standard report that defender Jan Bednarek is a doubt with a calf injury.

West Bromwich Albion's Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Southampton's Jan Bednarek (left) battle for the ball during the Premier League match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Picture date: Monday, April 12, 2021. Copyright: Michael Steele
West Bromwich Albion’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Southampton’s Jan Bednarek (left) battle for the ball during the Premier League match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Picture date: Monday, April 12, 2021. Copyright: Michael Steele

The main takeaway here is that Southampton will be weakened at the back, with a defence and goalkeeper that haven’t played together before. Arsenal absolutely have to take advantage.

We’re all well aware of Mikel Arteta’s side’s struggle for goals this season, particularly from their big-name strikers.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette need to be making the most of Saturday’s opportunity to get going.

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