ARSENAL legend Liam Brady fears Saints' superb bunch of kids could dump the mighty Gunners out of the FA Youth Cup.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder is now the head of youth development at Highbury and his under-18s are out for revenge in the FA Youth Cup at St Mary's tonight (7pm) after being knocked out of the competition by Saints last season.

But Brady knows his youngsters face a tough task against Georges Prost's side, with a quarter-final place away to West Ham or Leyton Orient awaiting the winners.

Saints have won 22 out of 23 games at Under-18 level this season and Brady said: "It's not often Arsenal go to Southampton as underdogs but that will be the case tonight.

"We've got the hardest tie we could have expected.

"I've seen Southampton a lot of in the last couple of years - and Arsene Wenger saw us lose 2-0 to them in the competition last season!

"They've done very well. They've got a very strong team, you only have to see how they're running away with our section to realise that.

"I don't know as much about the northern teams but, from what I've seen they're probably the best under-18 team in the country, although I hear Middlesbrough are also very strong.

"With the likes of Martin Cranie, Leon Best, Theo Walcott and David McGoldrick, they've got a lot of talent and Nathan Dyer isn't too bad, either.

"The forwards all have pace, particularly the wingers Walcott and Dyer, and Best is a good goalscorer.

"He's also quite an experienced player and is physically very strong, so he'll be a difficult opponent for our lads."

Arsenal's under-18s are coached by former first team centre back Steve Bould and they won the right to play Saints at St Mary's by beating Preston North End 2-1 at Barnet in the last round.

Brady added: "We didn't play brilliantly in the last round against Preston and nor did Southampton against Norwich, but kids are like that.

"I thought Southampton would do very well in the competition after beating us last year and was surprised when they were knocked out (on penalties) by Tranmere in the quarter-finals.

"But nerves can get to young lads more easily than they do to experienced pros."

Italian striker Arturo Lupoli is arguably the biggest name in Arsenal's side. He averages a goal a game for Arsenal reserves this season, was on target in the last round, and is one of three non-English players in the Gunners team. He also scored twice against Everton's first team in the Carling Cup earlier this season.

Brady added: "Lupoli is having a good first season and is one of three non-English players in our team.

"He's Italian, we've got an Irishman in Anthony Stokes and a Danish lad called Nicklas Bendtner - but the rest of the lads are all Londoners."

That's not something which can be said for Arsene Wenger's first team squad - the 16-man squad he selected against Palace last night did not contain a single Englishman.

Saints were today sweating on the fitness of 12-goal Under-18 league top scorer David McGoldrick, pictured, who suffered medial ligament damage during Friday's 2-0 win against Fulham, and was set to undergo a fitness test this morning.

Academy director Huw Jennings said: "David has done well to even be in contention but we're fortunate to have Adam Lallana playing well and ready to step in."