Fraser Forster could be a busy man today if David De Gea’s heroics against Arsenal are anything to go by.

And, according to manager Mauricio Pellegrino, the big stopper is in the right frame of mind to handle any challenge that is thrown at him.

De Gea put in a remarkable display to help Manchester United to a 3-1 win against the Gunners.

The Spaniard’s goal came under regular fire and he equalled a Premier League record by making 14 saves during the game.

Forster is next up to face Arsenal’s attacking prowess in the top flight as the Gunners come to St Mary’s on Sunday.

The 29-year-old has shown some great form in the last couple of games, having previously been criticised by sections of the fans for a dip in form, that also saw him dropping down the England pecking order.

Forster has shown strength of character to stand up to what has been thrown at him, and is now seemingly thriving again in the spotlight.

“We have to realise football is changing every single week, sometimes you are the best, and sometimes everybody is punishing you because you make a couple of mistakes,” said Saints boss Pellegrino.

“Even more with the goalkeeper. They are always alone. They have to defend themselves in this type of situation.

“You have to have personality to keep going and when you make a mistake and say ‘yes I made a mistake’ and keep going, you will be stronger in the future.

“This is my point of view for my players and I would like to know that sometimes the bad moment makes us a little bit stronger.”

Pellegrino has tried to support Forster, even during his tougher days, and that is now being repaid.

However, Pellegrino believes the credit belongs just to the keeper.

“He is doing a lot of things,” said Pellegrino.

“He is working hard, he is working mentally to be ready, to be prepared.

“Not just on but off the pitch.”

As well as keeping up his form for Saints, Forster will also have an eye on forcing his way onto the plane for England’s World Cup squad.

“I would like to see most of my English players ready to go to the World Cup but that means they are playing well in our club and that will be really good news for us,” reflected Pellegrino.

It is not just Forster who is working hard at St Mary’s trying to impress Gareth Southgate.

Ryan Bertrand is doing well for the Three Lions, James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond have figured under Southgate and have an outside shot, while there is also increased talk of Charlie Austin getting the nod as his goalscoring form continues.

“Hopefully it will be possible because I think not just him but we have English players with quality that can help the national team,” said Pellegrino.

“It is not a question for me. It will be good if they will represent England in a World Cup because that means they are playing well in Southampton but I expect the best for them in Southampton first of all and after the national team manager has to decide.”

Austin’s three goals in three games have helped reignite Saints’ season.

It took a while for Pellegrino to give Austin a meaningful chance, but he insists they aren’t playing differently to the style they adopted with Manolo Gabbiadini or Shane Long.

“Obviously our three strikers are different because they have got different profile and qualities, but I think the connection between them is good.

“Most of my players are together from a long time ago, maybe two seasons, and this year arrived Wesley and Mario but most of them came from the last season.

“I think we can play with different strikers and keeping the same side.

“We know some are better keeping the ball, Shane and Manolo better running behind, and we have to adapt to a different situation.”

Saints face a big test against the might of Arsenal.

Having played well but narrowly lost against Manchester United and Manchester City, Saints now want a performance and a result against one of the Premier League’s big guns.

“We have to try to play well,” said Pellegrino. “My job as a manager is to find an idea, to find a belief, to find values to play well, to play good football, in attack and in defence.

“You can control the behaviour, the people, but you cannot control the result.

“The difference today between the winner and loser are really close, the small details, and maybe the quality in this situation you got in a good moment.

“We talk about Bournemouth and the small detail about the penalty, and we could win or lose this game.

“Against these top teams they don’t need too many chances to score a goal.

“We need to do a good game, good football, and score goals to try to win.”

He added: “It is difficult to play against them.

“Against a top side like Arsenal they have got pace in wide areas, a lot of people in the middle who play one touch with pace, in counter attack they are really dangerous.

“You have to be 100 per cent and you have to play really close to excellent to beat this type of team.”