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Southampton's Puel sets sights on trophies

Cape Town - Southampton boss Claude Puel has targeted the English Football League Cup trophy as he prepares his side to face Arsenal in the cup quarter-finals.

The Saints secured their place in the last-eight of the competition after defeating Crystal Palace and Sunderland.

Ahead of their clash at the Emirates on Wednesday, the former Nice boss said that, while his side is talented enough to win some silverware, he knows it means seeing off a very talented Gunners' side first.

Puel said: "I believe (it is possible to win the EFL Cup) with my players - but I do not know if it is possible first time.

"Before I consider winning it, we have to win (against Arsenal). Every game is very difficult."

He added: "The most important objective is to stay qualified in (as many competitions as possible) and we will see in the second part of the season.

"We want to win (trophies), we need to keep our concentration and perform as well as we can and after that we will see."

The Saints last made it to a semi-final in 2010, when they won the Football League Trophy while their last major silverware came in 1976 when they defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

He explained: "It is an opportunity for Southampton to win something, we have the ability.

"It is a balance between getting the result and continuing the work to develop different players and give game time for players without time in the Premier League.

"We started at the beginning (of the competition) with just young players (in the side) and now the teams are mixed of young and experienced.

"I (came to the club) to give young players the opportunity to develop. Southampton have good players in the academy.

"I know my job is to help develop these young players in the academy. These players can improve every time. All the players are making progress."

He concluded: "It is a good competition to try to win something for the club and I think all my players are ambitious for this competition."

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