It has barely been the best of starts for Claude Puel at Southampton and the arduous nature of the Premier League shows no signs of letting up. 

Next up is a trip to Arsenal, who have been boosted recently after Arsene Wenger finally splashed the cash in the transfer market.

Still, while the Saints are yet to hit top gear this season, they have previously had some success when playing the Gunners over the past few years.

Too often are we too quick to write off the South Coast outfit and while they have once again been through a summer of upheaval, Puel still boasts a hugely talented squad.

While club-record signing Sofiane Boufal is out injured, the away side are likely to keep the same side that has contested the games against Watford, Manchester United and Sunderland.

Saturday pits Puel against his former mentor Wenger and it would be far too rash to bet against the former.

GK: Fraser Forster

Though he was forced to pull out of the England squad, stoic stopper Fraser Forster is expected to take his place between the sticks tomorrow.

RB: Cedric

Riding the crest of a wave following his Euro 2016 win, Cedric Soares’ dynamic style of play will be vital on the counter.

CB: Jose Fonte

A Southampton stalwart, Jose Fonte will be looking to improve on a shaky performance against Sunderland last time out.

CB: Virgil van Dijk

Undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the Premier League, the Dutchman is simply undroppable.

LB: Ryan Bertrand

Unfortunate that injuries and the form of Danny Rose has stopped him establishing himself as the best left-back in England, though Ryan Bertrand is a huge upgrade on Matt Targett.

CDM: Oriol Romeu

Largely used as a backup last season, Oriol Romeu has emerged as the best option available to be utilised in the holding role of a diamond formation.

While he’s not as much of a bruiser as the recently departed Victor Wanyama, the Spaniard boasts the passing range to keep the ball ticking over.

CM: Steven Davis

Absolutely crucial to Puel plans on the South Coast, the Northern Irishman rarely puts a foot wrong in the Saints’ engine room.

CM: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

His capture from Bayern Munich has surely got to be one of the coups of the summer and the Danish midfielder has been mightily impressive in the early part of his Saints career.

CAM: Dusan Tadic

Sticking to the diamond formation has proved to be a source of frustration for the Southampton faithful, though Boufal’s arrival should see some improvement on that front.

Still, while the £16m man is out, Tadic will more than likely be used in the attacking role, scheming behind the strikers.

ST: Shane Long

Yet to hit top gear this season, Shane Long remains vital to the club’s plans and his searing pace is likely to give the Gunners something to think about when they bomb forward.

ST: Charlie Austin

Nathan Redmond could well develop into the Thierry Henry incarnate Puel so wants him to be, though