Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger left Martin Keown and Lauren on the bench as the Gunners looked to slash Manchester United's lead at the top of the Premiership by overcoming Southampton tonight.
The defensive duo have both recovered from injury but had to settle for a place among the substitutes while Gael Clichy continued to deputise for Ashley Cole, who was completing his three-match ban, with Gilberto Silva ruled out through flu.
Southampton were looking for a return to winning ways following their emphatic St Stephens's Day defeat by Fulham but were forced to leave out Marian Pahars once again after the Latvian striker failed to shake off a thigh strain.
James Beattie and Kevin Phillips continued up front, with Danny Higginbotham again deputising for Graeme Le Saux at left-back, and Rory Delap completed his comeback from a twisted ankle with an immediate return to Saints' starting line-up.
Southampton: Niemi, Baird, Michael Svensson, Hall, Higginbotham, Griffit, Delap, Prutton, Telfer, Beattie, Phillips. Subs: Jones, Kenton, Marsden, McCann, Ormerod.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure, Cygan, Campbell, Clichy, Ljungberg, Vieira, Parlour, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry. Subs: Stack, Keown, Edu, Lauren, Kanu.
Referee: S Dunn (Gloucestershire)