Eckert, 33, admitted preparation to face the Premier League leaders has been "fun" but insisted all the pressure is on his players.

Saints have only conceded one open play goal since their 4-3 league win against Leicester, and have drastically improved their set-piece defending.

Yet they will need to ensure their old Achilles heel does not return against an Arsenal side that has scored 19 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League.

"They are a great team. Rightfully, every single manager praises what Arsenal does, and I can only continue that," said Eckert.

Saints head coach Tonda Eckert pictured during open training at St Mary's on Monday. (Image: Matt Watson/Southampton FC)

READ: Eckert issues 'positive' squad fitness update ahead of Arsenal

"It's a fantastic team with many, many answers to problems. The preparation was fun, because it's just many more iterations of what you could do.

"You see that they do have answers to many possible solutions, but I think we have found a couple of bits that we're able to hurt them.

"We just need to make sure we bring...