In Focus: Alcaraz is Southampton's best hope of great escape

Carlos Alcaraz produced a sensational first-half performance in the 3-3 draw at Arsenal last Friday. 

Yet the young Argentine surprisingly found himself substituted at half-time, despite being fit to play in the second-half. 

Signed from Racing Club in the January transfer window, the central midfielder has been pushed further forward by Saints boss Ruben Selles in recent weeks. 

Ahead of Southampton's crucial South Coast clash with Bournemouth tonight, we look at what the future might hold for Alcaraz.

Arsenal masterclass

Southampton have been playing in a 4-4-2 in recent games with Alcaraz in one of the striker roles. 

So when Arsenal No1 Aaron Ramsdale carelessly gave away possession, the 20-year-old was in position to intercept before applying a fine finish from outside the area. 

A goal up within just 27 seconds, the advantage was doubled after 14 minutes when Alcaraz played an inch-perfect pass to split the defence and Theo Walcott converted. 

The 5ft 9in ace came close to scoring a second in an action packed first-half in which he also cleared an Arsenal chance off the line. 

Yet when the game restarted, Alcaraz was no longer on the pitch and it was a tactical decision rather than an injury that was behind his substitution. 

Cutting edge

Selles made the call to replace Alcaraz with defender Lyanco. He explained that his decision was due to the 20-year-old having been one of three of his players to be booked. 

The switch to a five-man defence looked to be working out when Southampton went 3-1 up but they lacked an attacking outlet and Arsenal fought back. 

With the Saints desperately needing points, Alcaraz is capable of providing a cutting edge that they have lacked all season. 

Southampton are bottom of the Premier League — six points adrift of safety with only six games remaining. They will likely need to win at least four of those matches to stand a chance of survival. 

Alcaraz's energetic performance against Arsenal suggests he could be the catalyst the relegation-threatened club need to pull off a great escape. 

Surprise transfer

Right now, it seems more likely that Alcaraz will be playing in the Premier League next season than his struggling current employers. 

It was a surprise when Southampton signed him from Racing Club for £12million in January with Benfica said to be considering him as a replacement for compatriot Enzo Fernandez. 

Despite their struggles, they have a number of talented players their top-flight rivals will be looking to poach if they do suffer the drop.

Amongst them will be Alcaraz. He still has much to prove but is showing the sort of promise that already makes him stand out from his team-mates. 

The Saints are probably going to have to stay in the Premier League if they want to keep hold of their rising star — and their best chance of doing that appears to be giving him more chances to shine.