Arsenal’s fear of trophies? Southampton pull off sensation and knock Gunners out of FA Cup!

Until a few weeks ago, it was believed that Arsenal could win every trophy this season—at least that’s what Mikel Arteta’s fans were hoping for. However, everything now seems to be falling apart—Manchester City beat them less than two weeks ago in the EFL Cup final, and today Southampton, a Championship side, defeated them at St Mary’s to pull off a major upset.

Southampton thought they had an early opportunity to take the lead in the 4th minute when Scienza burst forward on a counter and went down inside the box under pressure from Gabriel. There were loud appeals for a penalty, but the referee waved play on, judging that the Arsenal defender had just done enough to avoid contact.

Arsenal responded quickly and began to grow into the game. Dowman looked particularly sharp, carving out a chance in the 7th minute with a fearless run into the box, though his effort was straight at Peretz.

The visitors continued to threaten from set-pieces, working clever short corners—one of which led to Martinelli seeing his strike blocked, before Jesus’ header was safely gathered by the Southampton goalkeeper.

Despite Arsenal’s control, Southampton produced the biggest chance of the half in the 18th minute. A poor defensive header from Gabriel gifted Scienza a clear run on goal, but he hesitated while trying to round Kepa, allowing Mosquera to recover and make a crucial last-ditch clearance.

Arsenal kept piling on the pressure as the half progressed. Odegaard tested Peretz from distance, then squandered a golden opportunity from close range, firing wide after excellent build-up play. Dowman also came close again, forcing another save from Peretz as Southampton began to wobble under sustained pressure.

However, just as it seemed a goal for Arsenal was inevitable, Southampton struck. In the 35th minute, Ross Stewart capitalized on a major error from Ben White, who completely misjudged a long ball into the box. Stewart found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home, sending the home crowd into celebration and giving the Saints a 1-0 lead.

Arsenal tried to respond before the break, continuing their pattern of neat build-up play, but their finishing let them down once more. A late effort from Norgaard was comfortably saved, summing up a frustrating half for the visitors.

Arsenal started the half with intent, and Dowman was again at the heart of their attacking play. In the 54th minute, he found space inside the box and struck from 15 yards, but Manning produced a brilliant block to deny what looked like a certain goal. Despite Arsenal’s pressure, Southampton remained compact and disciplined in the central areas.

However, the hosts soon reminded Arsenal of their threat on the break. Just after the hour mark, a shocking pass from Mosquera gifted possession to Fellows, who drove into the box but blazed his effort over the bar from a great position. Moments later, Southampton came even closer—Scienza cutting inside and unleashing a strike from the edge of the box that crashed off the crossbar.

Arsenal were rocking, but a triple substitution turned the tide. In the 68th minute, the visitors found their equalizer. Havertz burst down the left and cut the ball back perfectly for Gyokeres, who calmly finished to make it 1-1. The changes injected new energy into Arsenal, and Gyokeres immediately looked like a key figure as they pushed for a winner.

There was a brief concern for Arsenal in the 71st minute when Gabriel went down injured. Although he was able to walk off, he was replaced by Saliba, with Ben White taking over the captain’s armband.

As the game entered its final stages, Arsenal continued to press. Dowman, now operating more centrally, nearly produced a moment of magic in the 84th minute, curling an effort toward the top corner, only for Peretz to deny him with an excellent save.

But just as Arsenal looked the more likely side, they were punished once again for their sloppiness. In the 85th minute, Fellows carried the ball forward with little resistance and slipped it to Charles, who coolly finished past Kepa to restore Southampton’s lead. It was a shocking defensive lapse, and a potentially decisive moment.

Martinelli tried to threaten the home side’s goal in the second minute of stoppage time, but the ball went straight at the goalkeeper.

In the 5th minute of stoppage time, Calafiori struck a volley, but it went over the bar, extinguishing Arsenal fans’ hopes and sparking celebrations at St. Mary’s Stadium.

FA CUP - QUARTER-FINALS

Saturday

Manchester City - Liverpool 4-0 (2-0)

/Haaland 39 pen, 45+2, 57, Semenyo 50/

Chelsea - Port Vale 7-0 (3-0)

/Hato 2, Pedro 25, Lawrence-Gabriel 42 og, Adarabioyo 57, Santos 69, Estevao 82, Garnacho 90+2 pen/

Southampton - Arsenal 2-1 (1-0)

/Stewart 35, Charles 85 - Gyokeres 68/

Sunday

18.30: (2.45) West Ham (3.55) Leeds (2.80)

***odds are subject to change***