**By Danong**
**Arsenal return to action with a quarter-final FA Cup clash against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.**
**St Mary’s has long proved a difficult ground for the Gunners. In their last five visits, they have managed just one victory, a frustrating record given that, on paper, this is a fixture where Arsenal should be odds-on favourites.**
**Even so, while Arsenal are expected to prevail tonight, they will need to bring their A-game.**
**Southampton arrive unbeaten in 14 matches, enjoying their best run of form in recent memory, and they will be ready to put up a fight. Arsenal, therefore, must be prepared for everything thrown their way.**
**Fingers crossed, most of our key players are fit, especially after several withdrew from international duty with injury concerns.**
**From Mikel Arteta’s Friday press conference:**
**\- Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard are in contention.**
**\- Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie are ruled out with no timeline for return.**
**\- Noni Madueke is sidelined, though expected back within days.**
**Ideally, Arteta should field this line-up:**
**Kepa**
**Ben White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis Skelly**
**Norgaard, Havertz, Odegaard**
**Dowman, Gyokeres, Martinelli**
**Despite injuries forcing notable absences, Arsenal should still have enough to dispatch Southampton on Saturday night and book their place in the semi-finals, one step closer to clinching a record 15th FA Cup trophy.**
**Losing the Carabao Cup to Manchester City before the break may have ended hopes of a quadruple, but the treble dream remains alive. Victory here would edge Arsenal closer to that ambition.**
**Securing the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League would be a fitting and deserved way for Arsenal to crown this season.**