MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 04:20:44| >> :120:35951:35951:

Ralph Hasenhuttl: 'Southampton can do the double over Arsenal'

The sides meet twice in quick succession.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has challenged his side to beat FA Cup holders Arsenal twice in four days.

The two sides clash in the fourth round of the cup on Saturday at St Mary's Stadium and meet again at the same venue in the Premier League next Tuesday.

The Saints are bidding to improve on last season's 11th-placed top-flight finish, but Hasenhuttl said he will not be prioritising either game.

"I'd prefer winning both to be honest, if it's possible we'll do it, but I know it's tough," the 53-year-old Austrian said.

"Yes, we have the chance to I think. On our day we can beat any team in the league, we've shown this, especially at home.

"I think this is the goal we have. Yes, tough like always, but not impossible."

Hasenhuttl, without nine injured players in midweek, blended youth with experience when making seven changes for his side's 2-0 third-round win against Shrewsbury.

If Southampton beat Arsenal on Saturday and progress to the fifth round, they will play six matches in 19 days, but Hasenhuttl is not about to sacrifice the cup.

"It's a busy time now with a lot of games coming up. We have an FA Cup week, if you want, two games in a week in the cup," he said.

"It's a new challenge and in this competition we want to go as far as possible."

Danny Ings has provided the Saints with a major boost as he is available again after recovering from a hamstring strain and coronavirus.

But eight players remain unavailable, the latest casualty being midfielder Will Smallbone, who has been ruled out for six months with anterior cruciate ligament damage.

Jannik Vestergaard (knee), Oriol Romeu (calf), Moussa Djenepo, Michael Obafemi (both thigh), Nathan Redmond (hip), Nathan Tella and Mohammed Salisu (both muscle strains) are all nursing injuries.

Hasenhuttl said he could not recall having so many injuries at the same time in his managerial career.

"I cannot remember, no," he said. "But I also cannot remember that we ever had such a situation like we have at the moment with massive games in the short term.

"Less recovery options here, we cannot use any facilities indoors. No pre-season at all. I had never such a situation. This is the reason why I can also not remember having so many problems with injuries."

ID:431604: cacheID:431604:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4640:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl pictured on January 4, 2021
Read Next:
Ralph Hasenhuttl "positive" over new Danny Ings deal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Buccaneers
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!