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Wenger to name 'mixed' side against Southampton

Cape Town - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that a "mixture of youth and experience" would play in their EFL Cup quarter-final against Southampton today.

"We will have a mixture of youth and experience, but still 90% of a first-team squad," Wenger said.

"We were in a winning momentum and suddenly you only make draws, so it gets a little bit in the head of the players. For us, I think it was an important step to win against (AFC) Bournemouth, and having watched the game again, I think we played better than I thought after the game."

Wenger said their 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth relieved pressure after three straight draws in all competitions.

Meanwhile, the Arsenal mentor has his sights on brushing aside the Saints and revealed that Carl Jenkinson was in line for a start.

"Carl Jenkinson will play. I rested him completely against Bournemouth because he played two big games and I felt he needed a breather. Sometimes, mentally three games in a week demands a lot. Carl's back in tomorrow (today) and we'll put Gabriel in the center, and then we will see for Saturday."

They play West Ham United on Saturday in the Premier League. Arsenal are three points off top spot in the Premier League in fourth place.

"You forget that it's a big ask. Carl is very conscientious and it takes him time to play completely with freedom. He needs a run of games to play with freedom, so the fact that he can get another game tomorrow [today], I think we'll already see a different Carl."

Kick off is at 21:45.

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