Arsenal face Southampton this evening
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Martin Odegaard could tonight make his Arsenal return for the FA Cup trip to Southampton, with Max Dowman also in line to start.
The Gunners face the Championship side with a place in the semi-finals, and a swift return to Wembley, on the line.
Odegaard has not played since February 22 due to a knee injury but has overcome that and is expected to be in the squad at St Mary's.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Jurrien Timber, who has missed the last two matches with a groin injury, could also be back.
Noni Madueke is unavailable after suffering an injury while on international duty with England, but the winger is not expected to face a significant spell on the sidelines.
“It looked really bad," Arteta said.
"Noni was really worried, especially after what happened in his other knee a few weeks out and he was out for six weeks. But no, it’s nowhere near that injury. That was really good news.”
Read More
Chelsea XI vs Port Vale: Predicted lineup and confirmed team news
Man City XI vs Liverpool: Predicted lineup and confirmed team news
Liverpool XI vs Man City: Predicted lineup and confirmed team news
Rediscover your adventurous side on an exotic getaway
Asked whether it could be a matter of days before Madueke is back, Arteta responded: "I think so."
Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie have both also been ruled out of the Southampton match.
Arsenal had six other players withdraw from international duty, though most of those were related to managing ongoing issues rather than any significant setbacks.
Arteta said only "let's see" when asked if any of those stars would be available, but the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are all expected to be rested.
Dowman is in contention to start on the right wing. That would be the 16-year-old's first appearance since he dragged Arsenal to victory off the bench against Everton.
There should be rare minutes for Christian Norgaard and Gabriel Jesus, while Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to keep his place despite his major mistake in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Odegaard, Havertz; Dowman, Jesus, Martinelli
Injured: Eze, Hincapie, Madueke, Merino
Doubts: Odegaard, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Rice, Zubimendi, Saka, Trossard
Time and date: 8pm BST on Saturday, April 4, 2026
Venue: St Mary's Stadium