Mikel Arteta may opt to rest a number of his Arsenal stars against Southampton tonight after a spate of withdrawals during the international break.

Despite Carabao Cup final heartbreak, the Gunners still have a healthy lead at the summit of the Premier League having booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

They are also in the last eight of the FA Cup and can book another trip to Wembley with victory over Saints tonight.

11 members of Arsenal’s squad were either not involved in recent international fixtures or withdrew from their respective squads during the break.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes pulled out of the France and Brazil squads shortly after the defeat to Manchester City with Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber, who missed the game at Wembley, doing likewise with England and Netherlands. Leandro Trossard also withdrew from Belgium duty.

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka left the England squad without playing a minute with Martin Zubimendi also returning home earlier than planned from Spain. Piero Hincapie limped off during Ecuador’s draw with Morocco while there was concern for Noni Madueke after he was forced off in England’s drab draw with Uruguay.

Madueke was spotted leaving...