Capital One Cup: Arsenal vs Southampton match preview

A look ahead to tonight's League Cup fixture at the Emirates

Abou Diaby (Getty Images)

The big boys enter the Capital One Cup as the competition enters the third-round and the draw threw up this meeting between a couple of heavyweights.

Arsenal will be feeling confident after brushing Aston Villa aside in the Premier League at the weekend although their form has been somewhat inconsistent so far this term. Arsene Wenger has often used the competition to blood his youngsters and that could be the case again this time around. But as well as a run out for the likes of Hector Bellerin, Isaac Hayden, Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi - Arsenal fans will be most eager to see injury plagued Abou Diaby play a role.

The Gunners will come up against a Southampton team proving the doubters wrong. After a summer which saw their biggest stars depart, Ronald Koeman arrived as manager and signed up a few new players who have been making a quick impact. After five games of the season they are second in the Premier League and a point ahead of Arsenal. Such form will give Saints fans hope that they could go on a bit of a run in the Capital One Cup - but they'll have to overcome the Gunners first.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

Ronald Koeman (PA)

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Southampton 2 (Fonte, Lallana) Arsenal 2 (Giroud, Cazorla), Premier League, January 2014

Arsenal 2 (Giroud 2) Southampton 0, Premier League, November 2013

Southampton 1 (Ramirez) Arsenal 1 (OG), Premier League, January 2013

STATS…

Southampton would have to go back to 1987 for the last time they beat Arsenal.

The Gunners have not lost in the last 10 meetings against the Saints.

The last time Arsenal lost a domestic fixture at the Emirates was last year - but it came in the League Cup (against Chelsea).

Southampton have managed to reach the fourth-round for the last three seasons.

ODDS...

Arsenal to win: 2.05

Southampton to win: 3.75

Draw: 3.75

TV: Highlights on BBC One at 11.05pm on Wednesday.