Lethargic Arsenal Dumped Out Of FA Cup

English Championship side Southampton scored a late winner to defeat Arsenal 2-1 and send the Gunners out of the English FA Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession but was lethargic for most of the evening, and Southampton efficiently capitalized with a goal in each half to continue the English Premier League leaders’ poor form at the business end of the season.

Ross Stewart gave Southampton the lead at their St. Mary’s stadium with a well-placed strike on 35 minutes following a Ben White mistake. The visitors had to wait until 68 minutes into the encounter to equalize through striker Viktor Gyokores who converted Kai Havertz pass.

The Gunners continued to create half chances, but switched off in defence and allowed Shea Charles to put the nail in the Gunners’ coffin with a low shot into the bottom far corner for 2-1 five minutes to the end of the match.

The Saints held on to seal the win that qualified them for the FA Cup semi-final for the first time since 2021, and increased their unbeaten streak to 15 matches.

Arsenal, however, fail to reach Wembley in the competition for the sixth consecutive season, and saw their quadruple dream reduced to a double within the space of two weeks, the FA Cup defeat joining the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.