The international break brought mixed news for Mikel Arteta, as 10 senior first-team players returned to London Colney with various injuries. Arsenal's quadruple pursuit ended just over a week ago when they were well beaten by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. Now, the Gunners are not back in competitive action until this weekend's FA Cup tie against Southampton.

It remains to be seen what side Arteta will be able to select for the trip to St. Mary's, and the picture is sure to change over the coming days as Arsenal's medical department gets a firmer idea of the state of the walking wounded. Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke appear almost certain to miss out, the latter seen wearing a knee brace after England's 1-1 draw against Uruguay on Friday night.

As for the rest, Arteta is unlikely to take risks with the likes of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Martin Zubimendi or either of his first-choice central defenders, especially with a Champions League quarter-final and a potentially decisive Premier League game against City on the horizon.

Even in light of the current situation, Arsenal should still be able to field a strong starting eleven against the promotion-chasing Saints. After his latest Wembley nightmare, Arsenal's cup keeper Kepa will likely fear he has played his last competitive game of the season. The summer signing from Chelsea made the kind of blunder that has been almost totally absent from David Raya's game since he cemented his position as the club's No.1.

Raya is involved in his own battle to usurp Unai Simon as Spain's first choice ahead of the World Cup and, given the backing his club understudy received after the City debacle, he will most likely be on the bench on the south coast. Defenders Gabriel and William Saliba are so important to the Arsenal cause that both are sure to be wrapped up in cotton wool for more important assignments. The French international has been managing an ankle injury throughout the season, while Gabriel's knee forced him to withdraw from the Brazil squad last week.

Even without their twin towers of defensive power, Arsenal boasts some formidable options, with Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera as the most obvious candidates to fill the central defensive positions and maintain the left and right-footed balance Arteta craves. Ben White, fresh from his England return, could well feature at right-back, but teenager Marli Salmon, who started in the last round at Mansfield, could well be trusted again, while, on the opposite flank, Myles Lewis-Skelly should get some much-needed game time after being suspended for the game at Field Mill.

This is where things will get slightly trickier for Arteta, especially if Rice and Zubimendi need more recovery time. Christian Norgaard should be perfectly capable of anchoring the midfield and Arsenal will hope skipper Martin Odegaard is finally ready to make a timely return. The captain has missed the last seven games and, with Eze unavailable, the creative burden will again fall on the shoulders of the Norway international.

Further forward, Kai Havertz could be asked to fill the No. 10 role and rotate with Odegaard to give the midfield a bit more of a physical presence when needed. Viktor Gyokeres should be heading back to Arsenal with renewed confidence after his hat-trick against Ukraine. The summer recruit from Sporting Lisbon still has one World Cup hurdle to jump, but regardless of how he gets on against Poland, he will be in line to start against Southampton.

Arsenal's options on the flanks are somewhat limited, but Gabriel Martinelli has been a cup specialist this season, while Max Dowman may well get the nod on the right wing in light of his man of the match performance against the Stags in round five.

In summary, Arsenal could present a makeshift defense against Southampton. Mikel Arteta must reorganize his team due to injuries to several key players. The lack of important players will force the coach to make difficult decisions. The depth of Arsenal's squad will be tested in this crucial FA Cup encounter. Arsenal fans hope the team will show their best performance despite the adversities.

The match against Southampton is an opportunity for the less usual players to show their worth. Arteta's strategy will be fundamental to overcome the casualties and obtain a positive result. Arsenal's coaching staff is working hard to optimize the recovery of the injured players.