Claude Puel will blend a bit of youth with plenty of experience as he bids to lead Saints to the League Cup semi-finals for the first time in 30 years.

It was back in the 1986-87 season that Saints last got through to the last four of the competition, but they can finally book a return there this evening when they take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are likely to play a young team. Puel, meanwhile, insists he is determined to continue to give youth a chance, but is expected to field a more experienced side than in previous rounds.

With Cuco Martina, Maya Yoshida, Sam McQueen, Harrison Reed, Jordy Clasie, Steven Davis, Sofiane Boufal, Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez all fresh, Puel has plenty of options available to him.

“For us it is an important competition and we start at the beginning with young players and the team is a mix of experienced and young players and it is important to continue this work and philosophy.

“We can see the last game against Everton it was fantastic for the intensity with a strong performances on the physical with the technical as well. It was fantastic and this is possible with players fresh, with good energy and it’s all the work of all the squad and all the players.

“When we can rotate the team for every game it’s not just to give time for all the players. It’s also to keep every player for every game his maximum and we can see this game against Everton is a good answer.

“Other players can play at their maximum with their physical and technical also. This is interesting and good for all the squad.

“It’s the same as Arsenal try and keep the same philosophy and same intensity of game. I believe it is the same for us.

“Every time we can rotate the team and we keep always the same philosophy. Arsenal is the same.

“It will be a mix between experienced players and young players but the same philosophy and technical players and quality on the pitch and I think we will see a very good game.”

Josh Sims is unlikely to start the game against the Gunners as Puel take a cautious approach with him after his excellent debut against Everton.

Davis and Boufal are back after illness but Dusan Tadic and Matt Targett are still unavailable through injury.

Tadic’s broken nose is still causing him problems, and Puel admits he is likely to miss a few more games yet.

“He has a broken nose and it is difficult for him at the moment because he cannot make training sessions and I don’t know when he can come back with the group,” admitted Puel.

“It’s an important injury and it’s not easy for him and us also.

“I don’t know (how long he will be out). I hope perhaps one or perhaps two weeks. I don’t know. It is important for the moment he can come back in the training sessions and after we will see.”

Puel insists his team selection for tonight’s match will be driven by multiple factors.

“Always it is difficult because for me it is important to take a balance with the quality in the team, with young players and experienced players, and to keep the same intensity, the same philosophy,” he reflected.

“We are lucky to play all these games and it is interesting to improve with every player.

“A player likes to play all the game and this is difficult also. When we rotate the team it is important to keep a good spirit, a good quality, result also and to give a good atmosphere, a good acquaintance between the players, a good solidarity. All this is important.

“When we see the game against Everton with this intensity and with the quality it would be not possible with players playing every three days.

“It is important the players understand this and for the moment it’s true.”