You Bet | Arsenal wary as Southampton eye another cup shock after beating Liverpool
Saints stun Juergen Klopp’s side to reach League Cup final at Wembley and put Arsene Wenger’s side out of the same competition earlier this season
There are only two all-Premier League clashes in this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round in England and one of them brings some peril for Arsenal away to Southampton, who have already put them out of the League Cup this season.
On that occasion Southampton triumphed 2-0 away to the Gunners, although the home side were missing big stars including Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott.
The League Cup is not often a good form guide but Southampton have proved themselves a good cup side by reaching the final of the League Cup with their midweek victory over Liverpool in the last four.
Even on the league form between the sides, Arsenal will not be expecting an easy match as they needed a stoppage-time penalty to win 2-1 at home back in September and that was at a time when Claude Puel was still looking for a first win as Saints boss.
Southampton have not quite maintained last season’s high level under Ronald Koeman but their results have been solid enough considering their heavy schedule, which also included a Europa League campaign.
It is notable that Southampton are unbeaten in four home matches against Arsenal since their return to the Premier League in 2012, with two wins and two draws, and they look worth chancing on the handicap in tomorrow night’s late game.