Southampton shocked Arsenal with a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup quarter-finals, sealing a dramatic late win at St Mary’s.
Second-tier Southampton produced a memorable giant-killing on Saturday as Shea Charles scored a late winner to send the hosts into the semi-finals.
Ross Stewart had given Southampton a first-half lead before Viktor Gyokeres equalised for Arsenal, but Charles struck in the 85th minute to secure a famous victory.
The defeat marks only Arsenal’s fifth loss in all competitions this season and represents another setback in their bid to end a six-year trophy drought.
Missed opportunity
Managed by Mikel Arteta, Arsenal were expected to progress but struggled to impose themselves throughout the contest.
The Gunners had already lost the League Cup final to Manchester City and now see another domestic trophy opportunity slip away.
Despite the setback, Arsenal remain strong favourites to win the Premier League, holding a nine-point lead over City.
Southampton took the lead in the 32nd minute after a defensive error allowed Stewart to score from close range.
Arsenal responded in the 68th minute when Kai Havertz set up Gyokeres, who calmly finished to level the score.
However, Arsenal’s momentum faltered after Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off with a knee injury, disrupting their defensive stability.
The decisive moment came late on when Tom Fellows assisted Charles, who finished clinically to spark wild celebrations among the home fans.
Historic result
The victory ranks among Southampton’s most notable cup triumphs, echoing their historic FA Cup success in 1976.
Now into the semi-finals for the first time since 2021, the Saints continue an impressive run of form, remaining unbeaten in 15 matches across all competitions.
While Southampton celebrate, Arsenal must quickly regroup ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting Lisbon.
The result also raises concerns about Arsenal’s recent inconsistency, especially given past struggles to maintain momentum in crucial stages of the season.
The upset highlights the unpredictability of cup competitions and deals a psychological blow to Arsenal, while boosting Southampton’s confidence as they chase both promotion and silverware.
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