In a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton pulled off a remarkable upset, defeating Arsenal 2-1. Ross Stewart opened the scoring for the Saints in the 35th minute, while Viktor Gyökeres equalized for Arsenal in the 68th minute. However, it was Shea Charles who sealed the victory for Southampton with a goal in the 85th minute.
This victory not only sent Southampton through to the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley but also marked Arsenal’s fifth defeat of the season. Prior to this match, Arsenal was nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, making the loss particularly surprising.
Arsenal’s struggles at St Mary’s Stadium have been evident, with this match marking their 15th visit since 2012. Out of those, Arsenal has lost six matches, showcasing a challenging history at this venue.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, expressed his disappointment after the match, stating, “(I’m) really disappointed in the manner that we lost the opportunity to get back to Wembley.” He acknowledged the need for responsibility, saying, “Someone has to take responsibility. That’s me and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us.” Arteta made a triple substitution in the 60th minute in an attempt to turn the tide, but it was not enough.
In a further blow to Arsenal, Gabriel Magalhães was substituted due to a knee injury in the 74th minute, adding to the team’s woes as they faced a determined Southampton side.
The match was played in front of an intense crowd, with Southampton fans celebrating a significant victory. This win is particularly sweet for the Saints, as their last FA Cup victory dates back to 1976.
Looking ahead, Arsenal will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-finals on April 7, 2026. The team will be eager to bounce back from this setback and focus on their European ambitions.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of Gabriel Magalhães’ injury, but the team will be monitoring his condition closely in the coming days.
