Premier League leaders Arsenal travel to the south coast to face Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit nine points clear of title rivals Manchester City at the top of the standings, and the Spaniard will be desperate to see his side clinch the title having finished second in each of the past three campaigns.
The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final earlier this month, but could still win a treble this term as they remain in both the Champions League and FA Cup.
The north London outfit will be overwhelming favourites to in at St. Mary’s and progress to the last four of the FA Cup, while they will also fancy their chances of getting the better of Portuguese side Sporting CP in Europe.
Off the pitch, it has emerged that the Gunners have been scouting a Scottish defender during the international break.
Osborne is yet to make his senior debut for Hearts (Photo: Eric McCowatt/Alamy)
As per journalist Peter O’Rourke, Arsenal were one of a number of top flight clubs that had scouts in attendance to watch Alfie Osborne captain Scotland Under-19s against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.
Osborne, 17, is a product of Hearts’ youth academy but hasn’t made his senior debut for the club yet, despite featuring 47 times for their B team.
The centre-back, who stands at a staggering 6ft 5in, is highly regarded and has built a reputation as one of the best young defenders in Scotland.
His contract with the Jam Tarts is set to expire this summer, though, and O’Rourke claims that the player will therefore be allowed to leave Edinburgh for a compensation fee of around £160,000.
Chelsea and Crystal Palace were also said to have had scouts in attendance to watch Osborne play in Scotland’s 3-3 draw against Ireland.