Team News: Lucas Perez starts as Arsenal ring changes for Southampton EFL Cup clash

Lucas Perez has been given the nod to start up front for Arsenal as manager Arsene Wenger makes wholesale changes for tonight's EFL Cup quarter-final against Southampton at the Emirates.

The Frenchman has made 10 changes from the side that played Bournemouth at the weekend, with Perez starting after recovering from an ankle injury.

Emiliano Martinez has started both of the Gunners' EFL Cup games and he does again this evening, with Carl Jenkinson, Rob Holding, Gabriel Paulista and Keiran Gibbs coming into the defence.

Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin and Alex Iwobi also come into the fold, with Mohamed Elneny the only survivor from last weekend's action.

Meanwhile, Southampton boss Claude Puel has made eight changes, one of which includes Sofiane Boufal, who starts after recovering from a knock.

Steven Davis also starts after missing the game against Everton with illness, while Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Bertrand and goalkeeper Fraser Forster retain their spots from the weekend.

Arsenal: Martinez; Jenkinson, Holding, Gabriel, Gibbs; Coquelin, Elneny; Reine-Adelaide, Ramsey, Iwobi; Perez Subs: Macy, Bola, Bielik, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mavididi

Southampton: Forster; Martina, Yoshida, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Davis, Reed, Clasie; Boufal, McQueen, Long Subs: Lewis, Cedric, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Stephens, Sims

Follow Sports Mole's live text commentary of the match here.