GORDON STRACHAN has called on players and fans to make Arsenal feel as if they are in a cup tie today.

Saints are protecting an unbeaten home record at St Mary's this season, but manager Strachan knows Arsenal pose the biggest threat yet.

"We are excited about playing Arsenal. We don't lack confidence, but we know how good they are," he said.

"If you play their game they will win, you must keep chances to a minimum and make it as much like a cup tie as possible."

Saints midfielder Anders Svensson is a doubt after picking up a thigh injury playing for Sweden in their 3-3 midweek draw against the Czech Republic in Teplice.

And Marian Pahars faces a late fitness test on an ankle problem he has had for several weeks.

Arsenal come to Southampton top-of-the-table and full of confidence, with David Seaman, Dennis Bergkamp, Edu and Gilberto all available again after injury.

The Gunners boast the most firepower in the Premiership with 31 goals already this season - more than double Saints' tally of 14.

Saints have only beaten Arsenal once in the last 15 meetings, when Matt Le Tissier memorably struck the winner for a 3-2 victory in the last-ever league game at The Dell in May, 2001.

But Strachan hopes playing at St Mary's will lift his men.

"It has been good playing here," he said. "The crowd like it here, it is home now for them. Much to the annoyance of the groundsman we train here often as well! We feel like it is home and it gives us a lift.

"We have always been in with a shout against anyone here."

Despite coming off defeats at Manchester Utd, Liverpool and Newcastle in recent weeks, Strachan is happy with the way his team has performed.

"We got beat at Manchester Utd and Newcastle, but in the closing minutes they were taking it into the corners, which shows they thought we could beat them."

Strachan also stressed that the door was still open for out-of-favour goalkeeper Paul Jones to force his way back into the first team.

Earlier in the week the Welsh international had admitted he might be forced to move, but Strachan said: "It is handy to have two international goalkeepers, but they can't both be first choice and it as simple as that.

"It is a similar situation at Liverpool. In my opinion Chris Kirkland is the best goalkeeper in England but he is not getting a game.

"Paul Jones certainly still has a chance here."

Promising third-choice 'keeper Alan Blayney has had his loan at Stockport extended until the end of the season.

Stockport manager Carlton Palmer had an approach to buy him turned down by Strachan.