Saints are eyeing a potential League Cup victory as another route back to European football for next season.

The club have been enjoying their Europa League experience and are keen for it to become a regular fixture at St Mary’s.

However, with the Premier League very competitive this season, and taking into account the demands on the team during this first group campaign, the League Cup could provide the perfect return to Europe.

The winners automatically get a place in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, which would be a significant bonus to go alongside a long overdue piece of silverware.

Saints boss Claude Puel, whose side face Arsenal tonight for a place in the semi-finals, said: “It’s an opportunity for Southampton to win something and perhaps to have the ability to play European games for the next year.”

Puel was asked whether Saints had a squad capable of winning the competition and replied: “To win this competition, yes.

“I don’t know if it’s possible first time.

“To win this competition it’s important to win tonight.

“Every game is very difficult and in different competitions for the moment for us the most important is to stay qualified in different competitions and we will see this in the second part the possibilities to win something.

“For the moment it is important to see this game against Arsenal, keep a good concentration and to have a good performance and after we will see."