Antti Niemi can't wait to face Arsenal tomorrow - even though he says they're the best in the league.

The Finnish goalkeeper, who has been in good form since his £2m move from Hearts earlier this season, has already faced Manchester United and Liverpool but rates the Gun-ners as the Premiership's top dogs.

Arsenal have had a blip this season but were right back on track last Saturday when they demolished North London rivals Spurs 3-0.

But Niemi is confident that Saints can give Arsene Wenger's men a good game at St Mary's this weekend.

He said: "You have to see what you can do against the good sides.

"Our results haven't been great in recent weeks but it is a home game and we've done really well at St Mary's.

"The result against Blackburn was disappointing because we should have been three or four up when they scored.

"But we are doing really well at home but obviously Arsenal is a great team and, with respect to everybody in the other teams we have played, they are probably the best team in the league.

"When they're playing well, it's very difficult to beat them but when we play them we want to win it."

After an excellent run of results in September and October, Saints now go into the Arsenal match having lost three of their last four - although they have played United, Liverpool and Newcastle away from home.

But Nimei was disappointed with his side's showing at St James' Park and added: "When I've been at the club, they are always fighting and never give up against anybody and can match any team.

"After a good start we just looked like we were unable to keep the ball and gave it away too easily, especially in the second half when they had the ball and we seemed happy just to be in our own half and take what comes."

The Saints keeper has enjoyed his time in England since his move from the Scottish Premier League but has noticed a few differences.

"If you make a mistake in this league you can be sure you will be punished," he said.

"You sometimes get away with it in Scotland but here the strikers are such good players.

"Also in the Premiership I have noticed the crosses are very harder for goalkeepers to go for because full backs and midfielders can all swing them over so well."

l Southampton's trip to Everton which was put back to Sunday, February 23, has been moved again - this time back to it's original date of Saturday, February 22. It will still be screened live on Sky but with a 12.30pm kick-off time.