SAINTS winger Eljero Elia is confident that Arsenal will win the FA Cup and send Ronald Koeman's side into the Europa League.

There is a nervous wait at St Mary's this week, with the club's ticket to Europe dependent on the outcome of Saturday's showdown between the Gunners and Aston Villa, at Wembley.

If Arsenal triumph, Saints will enter the third qualifying round of the Europa League, capping a wonderful season.

However, if Villa produce a shock win, Koeman's men will miss out altogether.

But Elia is optimistic that Saints will get the result they are hoping for.

“I think Arsenal are going to win," he said.

"With the quality what they have, they have to win the game. They can finish the season good."

Elia believes Saints, who finished the campaign in seventh, deserve a spot in Europe, citing the way teams often set-up against them as an example of how well they had done.

“Of course (the club deserves European football)," he said.

"The football what we play and on the end how the people, how the teams defend themselves against us.

"It was great for us, but with the result of the games that we play, ok, it was sometimes difficult, but Southampton can be very proud of themselves."

Whether or not Saints do advance to Europe, Elia is hoping he will be back at the club next season.

The 28-year-old has been on loan at St Mary's from German club Werder Bremen since January.

He has loved his time with the team, but is unsure whether or not Saints will look to sign him permanently this summer.

"For me there is no answer," he said.

"I don’t know what is going to happen, so if it don’t, if I cannot stay here, they are looking forward and I also look forward.

"But if I can stay here it will be good."

Elia added: “It’s a nice football club, they only look to your football, it’s quiet and I like that."

The Dutch international, who played in the 2010 World Cup final, has started nine league games for Saints this season, while also making seven substitute appearances.

He scored two goals, both of which came in his second start, as he fired the side to a 2-1 win at Newcastle in January.