Key moments
In a surprising turn of events, Southampton triumphed over Arsenal with a score of 2-1 in the FA Cup quarter-finals held on April 4, 2026, at St Mary’s Stadium. The match kicked off at 8 PM UK time, marking a significant moment in this year’s FA Cup competition.
Southampton’s victory was secured with goals from Ross Stewart and Shea Charles, while Viktor Gyokeres managed to score Arsenal’s only goal in the match. This result is particularly notable as Arsenal was missing key players, including Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, both sidelined due to injury, which may have impacted their performance.
Historically, Arsenal has maintained a strong advantage over Southampton, winning 55 out of 109 matches prior to this encounter. However, Southampton’s victory in this match adds to their recent success, as it marks their second win against Arsenal in the FA Cup since the 2025-26 season.
Despite the loss, Arsenal remains in a strong position in the Premier League, currently sitting nine points clear at the top of the table. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, expressed his pride in his players, stating, “I love my players, what they have done for nine months. I’m not going to criticise them for losing here.” He also took responsibility for the defeat, saying, “If someone has to take responsibility that’s me.”
On the other hand, Southampton’s manager, Tonda Eckert, praised his team’s performance, saying, “I’m very proud of my players. We had to live off moments.” He acknowledged the importance of the win but quickly shifted focus to their upcoming Championship match against Wrexham, stating, “It will be nice to celebrate a bit but then we open up Wrexham and Championship football tomorrow.”
The match was broadcast on BBC and TNT Sports in the UK, allowing fans to witness this thrilling encounter. Arsenal’s next challenge will be against Sporting in the Champions League on April 7, 2026, as they look to bounce back from this FA Cup exit.
As the dust settles on this match, both teams will prepare for their upcoming fixtures, with Arsenal aiming to maintain their Premier League lead and Southampton looking to build on their FA Cup success. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of injuries on Arsenal’s squad moving forward.
