Premier League leaders Arsenal faced a significant setback as they were sensationally eliminated from the FA Cup quarter-finals by Championship side Southampton. This unexpected defeat comes just days before their crucial Champions League fixture.
Kai Havertz and FC Arsenal suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat away to Southampton, effectively ending their hopes for a treble this season. Ross Steward (35th minute) and Shea Charles (85th minute) secured the victory for the underdog Saints. Under the management of German coach Tonda Eckert, Southampton extended their impressive unbeaten run to 15 matches.
Despite Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fielding a strong lineup and substitute Viktor Gyökeres leveling the score in the 68th minute after an excellent assist from Havertz, it wasn’t enough for the Gunners.
Peretz Shines as Southampton’s Stalwart Goalkeeper
Arsenal dominated possession, but Southampton proved to be far more clinical in front of goal. Former Heidenheim player Leo Scienza narrowly missed extending their lead with a shot that hit the crossbar in the 62nd minute. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich loanee Daniel Peretz delivered a stellar performance in Southampton’s goal, making several brilliant saves and significantly contributing to their success. Former Nürnberg player Caspar Jander also put in a strong display.
Other top teams also experienced a challenging afternoon in the FA Cup. Earlier, Florian Wirtz and FC Liverpool endured a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City, where Erling Haaland netted a hat-trick. In contrast, FC Chelsea comfortably secured their spot in the semi-finals with a dominant 7-0 victory against third-tier side Port Vale. The final semi-finalist will be determined in the upcoming match between West Ham United and Daniel Farke’s Leeds United.