Arsenal have been stung by a late purpose from Southampton’s Shea Charles because the Premier League leaders fell to defeat within the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The match was Arsenal’s first after their Carabao Cup closing loss to Manchester City and adopted a global break which was notable for 11 Gunners gamers withdrawing from their nationwide groups due to damage.
However, Mikel Arteta was nonetheless in a position to identify a aspect containing captain Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes, with Arsenal keen to clear this hurdle.
Despite Arsenal having such senior gamers of their ranks, and dominating possession, it was Southampton who have been the aspect to create the higher probabilities.
They have been duly rewarded, with exuberant celebrations breaking out at full-time at St Mary’s.
Now a Wembley journey awaits Southampton within the semi-finals, with Arsenal’s hopes of a league and cup double crushed.
Championship promotion hopefuls Saints have been on a 14-match unbeaten run coming into this recreation and their plan to get the ball ahead shortly and behind the Arsenal defence precipitated the Gunners issues all through.
It was from a floated ball into the penalty space that the house aspect took the lead within the thirty fifth minute.
England defender White misjudged the flight of James Bree’s supply from the best, and that allowed Ross Stewart to management and swiftly plant a candy end previous Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the best nook.
Arsenal supervisor Arteta made a triple change within the second half, with Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori approaching, however Southampton continued to threaten.
Tom Fellows flashed a ball simply excessive of the Arsenal purpose earlier than the harmful Leo Scienza hit the crossbar with a curling effort.
The guests drew stage when Gabriel’s intelligent go put Havertz by means of into the realm and he lower the ball again for Gyokeres to stage within the 68th minute.
But Southampton weren’t to be denied, and substitute Charles despatched the house followers wild as he took on a brief go from Fellows and completed neatly into the underside left nook.
Arsenal looked for a second equaliser however discovered it was past them, as Southampton reached the semi-finals for the primary time since 2021.
