According to early team reports, Granit Xhaka will miss Arsenal's crucial game against Southampton tonight.

The Swiss midfielder has been ever-present this season for Arsenal but the Gunners will reportedly have to cope without his services this evening. It is not clear yet why he is missing.

Team news also awaits on Oleksandr Zinchenko, who missed Arsenal's trip to West Ham last week with a knock. Reports said he has arrived with the team, but it is not clear if the Ukrainian will start.

Arsenal have played without Xhaka on two occasions in the Premier League this season. Against Wolves in November, Xhaka suffered with illness and came off early in the first half. Fabio Vieira replaced him that day and provided a good impact, finding space in behind to square the ball to Odegaard, who scored the opener.

Against Bournemouth in March, Vieira started the game while Xhaka dropped to the bench. That day Vieira played generally well but struggled to have a key impact. It is likely Vieira will start tonight should Xhaka miss out.

Mikel Arteta does have the option to play Emile Smith Rowe in that position, but the Englishman has struggled to get back into the team following his return from a long injury earlier in the season.

Southampton are bottom of the league and Arsenal will be hoping to bounce back following two disappointing draws in recent weeks. However, the Saints are not to be underestimated and as Arsenal learned last week, the clubs fighting relegation possess quality on the pitch and can punish complacency.

Arsenal will be hoping to play their key men back into form before their hugely important trip to Manchester City next week. Bukayo Saka had a poor game against West Ham and missed a penalty, shortly before the home side's equaliser. Saka will personally be hoping to put that game behind him with a good performance tonight.

Arsenal simply must win tonight and it looks like they will have to do it without a key man in Xhaka.