The 3 key battles as Southampton host Arsenal in the FA Cup

Maya Yoshida v Olivier Giroud

With Virgil van Dijk ruled out through injury, Maya Yoshida will be the senior centre-back in the Saints defence this evening.

And that means that he’ll have to take the lead by marking and thwarting in-form Olivier Giroud at St Mary’s.

The French striker has scored five goals in his last six appearances for the Gunners, and has done enough in Wenger’s eyes to push Alexis Sanchez further back into midfield, as opposed to the more advanced role he played earlier in the season.

Giroud is excellent in the air and will chase down lost causes, so it’s imperative that Yoshida, who has started all seven of Southampton’s games in 2017, is composed and well aware of Giroud’s movement in the final third.

Winning this battle will be key in deciding the outcome tonight.