Ronald Koeman will seek talks with the Saints board about strengthening his squad in the January transfer window.

The Saints boss has repeatedly said that his side do not have the resources to match clubs such as Manchester City, Chelsea and tonight’s opponents Arsenal, who can boast 24 international standard players.

That was exposed for all to see last Sunday when Koeman was forced to move key centre half Toby Alderweireld into midfield as Saints were beaten 3-0 by City.

Early in the season it had seemed that Saints would probably not enter the transfer market in January.

However, as the reality of injuries and possible suspensions has hit home and revealed a lack of depth to compete at the very highest level that could come under review.

Koeman, who takes his side to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal tonight, said: “I will speak to the board of the club, what we need, what we like to do and, OK, but now it’s to prepare the game. That’s more important.”

He added: “It’s (the Premier League) the hardest league, because you can lose against everybody.

“You have to prepare every game, and you can’t play on 70 per cent.

“You have to be 100 per cent and the problem that we have that’s difficult, because you need everybody. Everybody needs to be fit, and we don’t have the numbers and players what the big teams have, and that’s difficult.”

Koeman also believes that the difference in the depth of squads is the biggest difference between the established European sides and those such as Saints aspiring to break into that upper echelon.

“Yeah, but the same is for a lot of different other teams in the Premier League. The same question,” he admitted.

“OK, but they have more possibilities to bring in players and to have a full squad of international players. We don’t have that. But that means the same for a lot of teams in the Premier League.”

Saints have again been linked with Burnley striker Danny Ings, who was released by Saints as a school boy and is out of contract at the end of next season, but Koeman would not be drawn on those reports.

“Of course we think about our team and we think always about making the team better,” said Koeman.

“But I’m pleased with the players we have, and if there’s any moment to think about what we have to do in January, we’ll do it.

“But I don’t go in names of players because of rumours.

“If we need somebody we will sign in somebody, that’s the reason.”