Walcott returns for Gunners

Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal will have forward Theo Walcott back from two months out following abdominal surgery for the visit of Southampton.

German defender Per Mertesacker, who scored at Wembley on Tuesday night, has recovered from a virus which ruled him out of the defeat at Manchester United, but midfielder Mathieu Flamini is suspended.

England midfielder Jack Wilshere has returned from international duty with no fresh fitness concerns. Yaya Sanogo (back), Lukas Podolski (hamstring), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby (both knee) all remain sidelined.

Provisional Squad: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud, Fabianski, Walcott, Bendtner, Gnabry, Rosicky, Jenkinson, Monreal, Vermaelen.