90min

Southampton vs Arsenal - FA Cup fourth round preview: How to watch on TV, live stream & prediction

By Harry Symeou

Mikel Arteta led Arsenal to a record 14th FA Cup win last season
Mikel Arteta led Arsenal to a record 14th FA Cup win last season / Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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Arsenal travel down to the south-coast on Saturday to take on Ralph Hasenhuttl's Southampton in the FA Cup fourth-round.

The current holders needed extra-time to overcome a stubborn Newcastle in the third round, but goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw them eventually progress after extra time.

The Saints, meanwhile, held the Gunners to a draw at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season, opening the scoring through familiar face Theo Walcott. Aubameyang levelled the score in the second half but it was a frustrating night in the end for the hosts.

Theo Walcott netted against his former club when they met at The Emirates Stadium back in mid-December
Theo Walcott netted against his former club when they met at The Emirates Stadium back in mid-December / Pool/Getty Images

Mikel Arteta's side have turned their Premier League form around, winning four of their last five, whereas Southampton have struggled of late - winning just one of their last five, although that was a narrow win over champions Liverpool.

Here's 90min's preview of a game that should feature a number of personnel changes on each side.

Where to watch

This FA Cup fourth round tie will be held at Southampton's St. Mary's stadium
This FA Cup fourth round tie will be held at Southampton's St. Mary's stadium / Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 12:15 (GMT)
Where is it being played? St. Mary's Stadium
TV Channel? BT Sport 1 (UK)
Referee? Peter Bankes
VAR? David Coote

Team news

Arsenal have recently announced the signing of Maty Ryan from Brighton on loan until the end of the season
Arsenal have recently announced the signing of Maty Ryan from Brighton on loan until the end of the season / Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images

Southampton are expected to welcome Danny Ings back into the side after his recovery from Covid-19. The Saints will be without Jannik Vestergaard, Oriol Romeu, Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Tella, Michael Obafemi, Will Smallbone and Nathan Redmond though, all of whom are all injured.

Arsenal will assess Dani Ceballos ahead of this one after the Spaniard missed the Premier League clash with Newcastle on Monday with a calf problem.

Pablo Mari is said to be 'progressing well' following his recent calf strain but he is not expected to be back in training until next week, while Arteta may look to rotate his forwards and give some more minutes to Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe.

Predicted lineups

Southampton: (4-4-2): Forster, Walker-Peters, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Walcott, Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong; Long, Ings

Arsenal: (4-2-3-1): Leno, Bellerin, David Luiz, Gabriel, Cedric; Elneny, Partey, Willian; Pepe, Martinelli, Nketiah

Arsenal have been in fine-form of late, winning four of their last five in the league as well as their FA Cup tie versus Newcastle
Arsenal have been in fine-form of late, winning four of their last five in the league as well as their FA Cup tie versus Newcastle / Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Recent form

Arsenal

Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United - Premier League - 18/1
Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace - Premier League 14/1
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle United AET - FA Cup - 9/1
West Brom 0-4 Arsenal - Premier League - 2/1
Brighton 0-1 Arsenal - Premier League - 29/12

Southampton

Southampton 2-0 Shrewsbury Town - FA Cup - 19/1
Leicester City 2-0 Southampton - Premier League - 16/1
Southampton 1-0 Liverpool - Premier League - 4/1
Southampton 0-0 West Ham - Premier League - 29/12
Fulham 0-0 Southampton - Premier League - 26/12

Prediction

Nicolas Pepe has found himself out of favour under Mikel Arteta this season but will he get an opportunity at St. Mary's tomorrow?
Nicolas Pepe has found himself out of favour under Mikel Arteta this season but will he get an opportunity at St. Mary's tomorrow? / Julian Finney/Getty Images

Having won the trophy last year, you can be sure Mikel Arteta will be taking this fixture seriously. However, given the Gunners' upcoming run of fixtures - which includes a game against Manchester United, trips to Aston Villa and Wolves, a two legged affair with Benfica and the visit of Manchester City - he will almost certainly make a number of changes.

How much of an impact that will have on the outcome of this fixture remains to be seen, but although Southampton's form of late has been nothing to shout about, the changes Arsenal are expected to make could certainly disrupt their flow.

In James Ward-Prowse, Danny Ings and Theo Walcott, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side carry plenty of goal threat and certainly have the tools to dump the current holders out.

Prediction: Southampton 1-0 Arsenal