FA Cup finalists meet in league rehearsal

It was meant to be the night on which Arsenal set up a final game title showdown with Manchester United.

However, in the almost literal wake of their weekend defeat by Leeds, Arsenal’s home game against Southampton had a distinctly hollow feel to it.

The two sides contesting the FA Cup final may have been involved but in name only, for both sides made sweeping changes to rest key players ahead of the showpiece occasion.

Indeed, there were perhaps just three or four of Arsenal’s line-up who will start the final, compared with just one or two more for Southampton.

Thierry Henry did start, along with Robert Pires and Ray Parlour, while Dennis Bergkamp and Sylvain Wiltord were on the bench.

However, Arsenal otherwise fielded a defence comprising Igors Stepanovs and Oleg Luzhny at centre-back, with teenager Ryan Garry and Kolo Toure at full-back and Stuart Taylor in goal.

Jermaine Pennant was handed a rare chance to impress in midfield, with Kanu up front alongside Henry.

Southampton, meanwhile, had a slightly stronger line-up, at least in relative terms, although James Beattie was still left on the bench, along with Brett Ormerod and Matt Oakley.

The likes of Claus Lundekvam and Chris Marsden were resting knocks, meaning Northern Ireland Under-21 international Chris Baird and Wales Under-18 squad member Chris Baird were substitutes.