3 reasons why Southampton will beat Arsenal in the FA Cup this evening

Coming back into form

Southampton suffered three defeats in six days over the Christmas period to derail their challenge on the European spots, and when they failed to beat Norwich in the cup and then lost at Burnley, Puel was under pressure to stop the rot.

And that’s exactly what they’ve done in the last few weeks.

The first leg win over Liverpool was followed by back-to-back victories over Norwich in an FA Cup replay and then Leicester in the Premier League, before their memorable night at Anfield on Wednesday.

It means that the Saints have won four of their last five matches, and that time have only conceded a Joey Barton free-kick in the loss at Burnley.

They are playing themselves back into form at exactly the right time, and they’ll fancy their chances of knocking the 12-times winners out of the competition this evening.