Claude Puel welcomes his former manager Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal side to Southampton for the second time this season as the Saints look for a strong end to their first campaign under the guise of the Frenchman.

It has been a mixed season for fans on the south coast. Beating the likes of Inter Milan in the Europa League and their EFL Cup run to the final have been big high points, however, a lack of interest in Puel’s style and results such as the 5-0 loss to the Gunners the last time they were in town – for an FA Cup fourth round tie –  have contrasted that somewhat.

The Saints have been somewhat of a bogey side to Arsenal in recent years, in fact the Gunners haven’t won a league game at St. Mary’s since 2003 when Robert Pires scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over a Southampton side which included Fitz Hall, Paul Telfer and Leandre Griffit.

Puel will be keen for his side to build on their solid defensive showing at Liverpool on Sunday and add some more creative spark going forward.

With that in mind, here are three players he should give a chance to against the Gunners…

Nathan Redmond

The former Norwich man has had a decent first season at Southampton. After a rocky start the winger has settled and started to perform to a very good level under Claude Puel, even earning his first England cap in the process.

However, with little left to play for this season the manager has opted to start fellow summer signing Sofiane Boufal over Redmond, an experiment which is yet to pay dividends.

Redmond will feel hard done by if he is left on the bench once again this week.

Shane Long

A common, and unpopular, change from Claude Puel in recent weeks has been hooking star signing Manolo Gabbiadini with around half an hour to go in favour of former Reading man Shane Long.

On neither occasion has this change worked in favour of the Saints. However, starting the Irish international alongside Gabbiadini could well be a masterstroke, with the 30-year-old able to stretch the back line and open up the spaces for the ruthless Italian to strike.

Martin Caceres

The former Barcelona defender joined on a free transfer back in February but is yet to play a second for the first team.

Against the talent and guile of the Arsenal attacking line a centre-half of his experience could well be the better choice over youngster Jack Stephens.