Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: This is why I took Mohamed Elneny off against Southampton Arsenal player ratings against Southampton in EFL Cup quarter-final Five things learned from Arsenal's EFL Cup defeat to Southampton

ARSENE WENGER has explained his reasons for substituting Mohamed Elneny in Arsenal's defeat to Southampton.

Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat to Southampton in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup earlier tonight.

With the Gunners already two goals down from Saints duo Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand, things got worse for the the north London outfit shortly before the break.

Elneny was replaced on 43 minutes by Granit Xhaka with fears suggesting the Egypt international had picked up an injury.

Mohamed Elneny PA

Mohamed Elneny was taken off shortly before the break

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But after the game Arsene Wenger said the midfielder hadn't been feeling well prior to kick-off and it wasn't in fact an injury.

He said: "Elneny was sick before the game and I could see after 10 minutes that he wasn't right. He has no injury but he has a stomach problem."

Wenger will be hoping the 24-year-old recovers in time for Arsenal's trip to West Ham on Saturday.

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A miserable November for Arsenal has seen them win only two of their six games in all competitions.

And the French boss will be hoping to close the three-point gap on leaders Chelsea with a win at the London Stadium.