IT is the one day where Saints fans will be cheering another team who play in red and white.

Southampton fans across Hampshire will be roaring on Arsenal to victory in the FA Cup final as Saints dreams of European football next season depends on the gunners beating Aston Villa.

The Daily Echo is urging Saints fans to become a gooner for a day, whether it will be wearing the Arsenal colours, or even just singing some Arsenal songs.

Saints missed out on the chance of a European place through a league finish, after ending their Premiership campaign in 7th position, but Ronald Koeman's side could still qualify if Arsenal beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final, which would give Saints that vital European spot.

Saints fans will be counting on former Southampton stars Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Callum Chambers to be on top form to help guide the gunners to victory.

Nick Illingsworth, who runs Saints fans website The Ugly Inside expects Southampton fans to become Arsenal fans for the crunch game.

Nick said:"I would not go quite so far as to wear an Arsenal shirt but I did joke with the postman saying is that my Arsenal shirt you have for me. I think it is fair to say that there are not going to be many people in the city that won't be wanting Arsenal to win."

"I would imagine if a Saints fan does happen to own an Arsenal shirt they would be tempted to wear it, certainly there will be Saints fans with the shirt in the city - but I don't think there will be many."

For some Saints fans putting on an Arsenal shirt is a step too far but for season ticket holder Jason Hutchings, his cousin Daniel Osman and best mate Lee Barnes it is nothing unusual.

The trio are all used to being 'gooners' as they follow the fortunes of both clubs.

While Jason and Lee both put Saints down as there main club, Daniel is more of an Arsenal fan. The trio often go to Saints away games and plan to watch the crunch match in their Arsenal shirts.

Jason, said: "I will be wearing an Arsenal shirt and will be roaring them on we all want them to win. We are used to being gunners for a day and I do like to see them do well so it will be a double celebration if they win.

The 29-year-old from Portswood is hoping for a Gunners demolition job on Tim Sherwood's Aston Villa side, and has predicted a 5-0 victory for Arsenal.

Landlord of the Saints pub in Millbrook, Eugene McManus believes that today is the only day of the year where it is acceptable for Saints fans to sport the Arsenal colours.

He is expecting a packed crowd at the pub in Windermere Avenue and expects there may be a few fans wearing the Arsenal colours.

Eugene, said: "There is nothing wrong in borrowing an Arsenal shirt for the day to support the team - however owning Arsenal shirts is a bit different in my opinion."

"I think given the opportunity to experience European football again like in 2003 this game is massive for Saints fans."

Arsenal against Aston Villa will kick-off at 5.30pm and will be shown on BBC One and BT Sport.