'Troll them' - Southampton fans react to scouts watching Leo Scienza vs Arsenal

Southampton fans have reacted to the fresh transfer update of scouts watching Saints winger Leo Scienza against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Southampton is the only Championship club alongside Ipswich Town who are not in Championship action this weekend. While the rest of the second tier clubs are battling it out to secure a better league position, the Saints have their eyes on Arsenal for tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter final.

A lot of merits come with beating Arsenal at St. Mary’s. Southampton get to produce a dream FA Cup evening for Saints fans on the 50 year anniversary of the 1976 FA Cup win. Tonda Eckert’s men also get to join the elite company of Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa in being the fifth side to defeat Mikel Arteta’s Gunners this season.

Last but not the least, Southampton also get a chance to go to Wembley for playing the semifinals and potentially, the finals of the FA Cup. Winning over Arsenal tomorrow can make Southampton fans dream of a second FA Cup title, exactly 50 years on after the first one in the Saints history.

Hands down, the Southampton vs Arsenal clash is a big game for the Saints.

Leo Scienza transfer claim made before Arsenal game

Many first team regulars are expected to start on Saturday, apart from Flynn Downes and Kuryu Matsuki due to suspension reasons. There are question marks over Leo Scienza’s participation immediately after nursing his injury. Amidst that uncertainty, a stunning transfer claim has been made on the 27-year-old fan favourite winger.

In their own words, TalkSport dropped a Leo Scienza transfer update saying: “Scouts from a number of top clubs are expected to flock to St Mary’s this weekend to watch Leo Scienza when Southampton host Arsenal in their FA Cup quarter-final clash.”

Southampton fans react to scouts watching Leo Scienza vs Arsenal

Leo Scienza has a bunch of Premier League and Bundesliga admirers. There’s no room for doubt in that. Same way, Southampton fans know there are a handful of players in this current team who are destined to play for elite teams in England and abroad a few years down the line.

That said, many Southampton fans were pretty relaxed upon hearing that scouts will have an eye on Scienza tomorrow evening. One of them said: “Not surprising at all. They’ll also be there for a few obvious others, including Ekert if Saints pull-off a performance and result.“

Another part of the Saints fanbase was confused why scouts have picked the Arsenal FA Cup game in particular. Every Southampton supporter knows the Brazilian might just come on for a brief substitute cameo, or not even show up if Eckert feels so.

One Southampton fan conveyed these feelings, adding: “Scienza will probably only get 20 minutes vs Arsenal as coming back from injury, we need him ready for the league games.“

Another one opined: “I’d think it’s unlikely they’ll see much of him to be honest.“

Perhaps, a Championship fixture like the Wrexham visit on Tuesday could have been perfect to watch Scienza more in action. Regardless, the Saints fans aren’t much bothered by the scouts coming on for the FA Cup occasion.

One of them even joked about Southampton trolling the visiting scouts on the evening. He gave an idea saying: “Troll them then by resting him for the league. We’ll beat those prats without our Leo.“

Doesn’t matter how much Leo Scienza plays against Arsenal, let’s hope Saints fans witness a special FA Cup evening tomorrow at St. Mary’s.