Arsenal take on Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter final at The Emirates on Wednesday night as they look to book a spot in the semi-finals.

Many top clubs opt to field a weakened side in the secondary domestic club, however, taking it seriously can more than benefit your season.

The Gunners have a good record against the Saints in the League Cup, having lost only once in seven outings, although that loss was their most recent meeting in the competition when an incredible strike from Nathaniel Clyne won it for the south coast side.

The two sides have already met at The Emirates once this season, with the visitors feeling hard done by as Wenger’s side won through a controversial last minute penalty where even Olivier Giroud, who was brought down by Jose Fonte, had to ask the Portuguese who was fouled to win the spot kick.

It looks to be an interesting encounter on Wednesday night, but the Gunners must go all out to get through an go on a win the competition, and here’s why…

That winning feeling

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The EFL Cup may not be top of the list for a club like Arsenal, with the Champions League, a Premier League title challenge and The FA Cup all still to come.

However, there is no better way to go into the back end of the season than off the back of a cup final win, it breeds confidence and proves to any crop of players that they are winners.

Wenger needs it

Photo: Mark Leech.

The Frenchman has won three Premier League titles and six FA Cups during his time with the Gunners, but never a League Cup.

Whilst many will argue, and rightfully so, that the Champions League should be in the forefront of his mind in what could be his final season at the club, he will no doubt want to have won all the domestic silverware available to him in his tenure.

Keep players happy

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

With rumours circling around star players and their new contracts, there is only one surefire way, aside from an astronomical cheque, to keep the top players happy, silverware.

The League Cup is not the biggest of trophies but a trophy nonetheless and is one which will give the players something to celebrate and memory to cherish.