NATHAN Tella is relishing the possibility of facing former club Arsenal, a side which could include some of his old teammates.

The Gunners have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League, with many players having come through the youth ranks.

That includes Tella's close friend Eddie Nketiah, as well as the likes of England international duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.

Tella himself came through the youth system at Arsenal, before being let go and linking up with Saints in 2017.

And he could face his former club for the first time tomorrow, when Saints head to Emirates Stadium in the Premier League (3pm).

"I can’t get too caught up in the emotions of playing against Arsenal," Tella told the Daily Echo.

"At the end of the day it’s another team who are in the league and another team who are battling to pick up results. So I feel like it should just be a good game."

Asked about the possibility of having some Arsenal supporting friends in the crowd on Saturday, Tella added: "It will be nice to obviously see them, but I want to see them after we’ve won so I can sort of rub it in their faces a bit!

"But it will be nice to see some old faces and people who I’ve known and seen me grow up as well, so it will be good."

Discussing Arsenal's young stars, Tella added: "Saka was a little bit younger than me, but Emile Smith Rowe was another one who I played with.

"He was playing up quite a bit, because he’s a year younger than me.

"He’s always been a very good player, now the fact he’s able to do it at Arsenal just shows what everyone would know, he’s a very good player."

After a spell out the side, Tella has started the past two league games for Saints.

And he is determined not to let the occasion of facing Arsenal derail his comeback into the team.

"From speaking to my dad about it, we were just laughing at the possibility of the first time I'm playing at the Emirates could be for Southampton," said Tella.

"It would mean a lot.

"But it doesn't matter, because I can't be too focused on the event, I have to focus on the performance and what the team needs to do to get the result.

"I can't get too caught up with my own emotions and my own feelings towards the game, because that will distract me.

"Especially now that I have come back into the team, I don't want to do anything that would jeopardise my spot here."