Southampton simply must win the EFL Cup this season – here’s why

Southampton travel to Arsenal in the EFL Cup quarter-final on Wednesday evening as they look to book a place in the semi-final for the first time since the 1986-87 season, where they lost to Tottenham, who were eventually beaten by Saints opponents on Wednesday in the final.

Claude Puel has already taken his side to The Emirates once this season, where they were beaten by a controversial late penalty after a spirited performance in North London.

The south coast side go into the EFL Cup tie off the back of a surprisingly comfortable win over fromer manager Ronald Koeman and his struggling Everton side, thanks to a goal from Charlie Austin after just 41 seconds.

With his side still fighting on all fronts, with a crucial Europa League clash against Iraeli outfit Harpoel Be’er Sheva to consider next Thursday, after a visit to Crystal Palace in the league, Puel will be consideing changes to his side for the ecounter with Arsene Wenger’s side.

However, there are many arguments as to why the Saints need to go all out to win the EFL Cup this season, and here are THREE of them…