Arsenal stunned by Southampton in FA Cup as another trophy opportunity ends for Gunners

Shea Charles scored five minutes from full-time as second-tier side Southampton stunned Arsenal with a 2-1 ​victory in its FA Cup quarterfinal at St Mary’s on Saturday on ‌a night it remembered a famous victory in the competition ​50 years ago.

Southampton took the lead on 35 ⁠minutes through Ross Stewart, but Arsenal was level midway through the second half when Viktor Gyokeres equalised. The Premier League leader looked the most likely ‌winner from there.

But when the home side launched a counter-attack in the 85th minute, it did so with numbers and ‌Tom Fellows fed Charles in the box for him to ‌poke ⁠the ball past goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Southampton, which wore a ⁠special yellow commemorative jersey to mark 50 years since its 1976 FA Cup final win over Manchester United, joins Manchester City and Chelsea in the semifinals.

The result heaped more misery on Arsenal, which was defeated in the League Cup final by Manchester City in its last match, and now bows ‌out of a competition it has won a record 14 ​times.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert extended his unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions. Although his side had ⁠to soak up long periods of Arsenal pressure, it deserved its victory.

It might have hit the front when Leo Scienza was through on ‌goal with just goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to beat, but as he delayed his shot, Cristhian Mosquera was able to dispossess him of the ball.

Southampton did take the lead after a horror moment at the back for Arsenal defender Ben White. A simple aerial cross from James Bree was missed by White and fell perfectly ‌for Stewart to collect and fire past Kepa.

Southampton came close to a second ​when Scienza’s dipping shot from the left-hand side of the box hit the top of the crossbar.

But Arsenal was ⁠back level on 68 minutes as substitute Viktor Gyokeres side-footed into the ⁠net from 10 yards after a fine run from Kai Havertz teed-up the chance.

It seemed Arsenal would go on to seal the contest, but with the clock running down, a quick break from Southampton created the chance for Charles, ​who could not miss from 12 yards.

Published on Apr 05, 2026