Southampton shock Arsenal to reach FA Cup semi-finals
Southampton delivered a surprising victory over Arsenal to advance to the FA Cup semi-finals, a result highlighted by the official Southampton X account in response to a frustrated Arsenal fan reacting to the Saints' celebratory post.
Only two weeks prior, Arsenal were considered strong contenders for an unprecedented quadruple. However, following their defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and now their quarter-final FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton, those ambitions have been severely damaged.
Shea Charles scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, securing Southampton's win after substitute Viktor Gyokeres equalized following Ross Stewart's first-half goal.
This marks the first occasion this season that Arsenal have suffered consecutive defeats, and it is only their fifth loss overall this campaign.
Attention now turns to whether Arsenal can manage the increased pressure and maintain focus, with the Premier League and Champions League still in contention.
'They have to not let the season run away from them'
Arteta reacts to Arsenal's loss against Southampton
Arsenal have not claimed the Premier League title in 22 years and have finished as runners-up for three consecutive seasons.
The Carabao Cup final represented Arsenal's first opportunity to secure a major trophy in six years.
After losing to Manchester City and being eliminated from the FA Cup by a lower league side for the first time since the 2021-22 season (a third-round defeat to Nottingham Forest), the team must ensure these setbacks do not lead to a decline in form.
"They have to not let the season run away from them," former Arsenal and Southampton forward Theo Walcott told .
"Everything they have built this season, don't let it affect them. They have been in this situation before and they don't want to relive that."
Manager Mikel Arteta has consistently expressed the club's strong desire to win. With the season nearing its conclusion, fewer matches remaining, and a £250 million investment in the summer, the pressure is intense.
Walcott noted a "nervous energy" on the touchline at St Mary's, reminiscent of previous years.
"Visually watching Mikel on the sidelines, it was elements of previous years where that energy reflected into the team," he said.
"It was very tense. Not just Mikel but a lot of the staff were out there at times. It was like too many cooks in the kitchen, too many messages."
Arsenal's performance was below the high standards they have set throughout the season.
Despite dominating possession, taking 23 shots, and equalizing in the 68th minute, the team never convincingly appeared likely to secure victory.
"I love my players. What they have done for nine months. I'm not going to criticise them because we lost a game here in the manner that they tried," Arteta said.
"And the way they are putting their bodies through everything. Some of them probably didn't even have to be here. I'm not going to do that. I'm going to defend them more than ever.
"Someone has to take responsibility. That's me and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us.
"In the season, you always have moments. Normally two or three. This is the first moment that we have.
"So stand up, make yourself comfortable and deliver like we've been doing all season."
When asked how to prevent this form from affecting their Champions League and Premier League campaigns, Arteta responded:
"Giving them [the players] clarity, giving more conviction, trusting our players, believing in what we are doing."
"And continue to do that with the tweaks that every game demands.
"But especially maintaining the speed, the attitude and the energy at the highest possible level. Because that's critical to perform at the level that we need to win matches."
Injuries cause disruption and worry
BBC pundits react to Arsenal's 'disappointing' performance
Arsenal's lineup against Southampton featured seven changes from the team that faced Manchester City at Wembley two weeks earlier.
This was influenced not only by rotation but also by injuries affecting the squad.
Leading up to the international break, 11 Arsenal players withdrew from their national teams, prompting speculation that Arteta was pressuring players to withdraw. However, the team fielded against Southampton suggests otherwise.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard, all of whom withdrew from international duty, were absent from the squad, while William Saliba was named on the bench.
Captain Martin Odegaard made his first start since January, and Kai Havertz was substituted while Arsenal sought a winning goal.
Additionally, Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off due to a knee injury, raising concerns for Arteta.
Christian Norgaard, who has had limited playing time this season and started the match, stated:
"No, there are no excuses. It has nothing to do with injuries or availability," Norgaard said.
"We had a really good team on the pitch that should have been competing on a high level. We need to pick ourselves up. We have two big competitions left to compete in."
Despite an error in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, Arteta retained cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga over regular starter David Raya.
"I don't think it was anything to do with Kepa in terms of them losing, but you have to play your best team," former England defender Micah Richards told .
Walcott added: "Play your best team was the right thing to do.
"It's easy if I say that now, but you want a reaction off the cup final and it wasn't that - it was worse."
'Man City are going to push them all the way'
Manchester City have been a significant obstacle for Arsenal in their pursuit of trophies.
In two of Arsenal's three second-place Premier League finishes, they trailed behind Pep Guardiola's side.
City defeated Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final with one of their best performances of the season, seemingly boosting their momentum.
Earlier the same day, City scored four goals against Liverpool to reach the FA Cup semi-finals. Arsenal will face City at the Etihad Stadium in April, a match that could heavily influence the title race.
"It was only a couple of weeks ago people were saying Arsenal could do the quadruple, Now they are in two competitions," Richards added.
"Man City, after what they did earlier on, look like they are going to push them all the way for the league.
"The most disappointing thing for me was watching Arsenal and their attitude. They have been excellent defensively, in transitions they have been very good, the shape has been good and the effort has been as good as anyone.
"For them to turn up the way they did, I thought was very poor."
Arsenal will hope this setback is a minor part of what could still be a successful season, but they must quickly return to their best form.
Latest Arsenal news, analysis and fan views
Ask about Arsenal - what do you want to know?
