Southampton vs Arsenal LIVE: Gunners beaten in shock FA Cup result after Shea Charles’ late strike | OneFootball

(REUTERS)

Arsenal suffered a shock defeat to Championship side Southampton and were dumped out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage as their pursuit of silverware in 2026 took another hit at St. Mary’s.

From the start, Southampton looked determined to make things difficult for the Gunners and saw some early joy on the break as Mikel Arteta’s men struggled for rhythm in a stuttering first half.

The Saints, who sit seventh in the Championship and are pushing for Premier League promotion, took the lead through Ross Stewart after a mistake from Ben White. Leo Scienza drove the hosts up the pitch and crossed from the right with White leaping but missing the ball in his attempted clearance. Stewart chested it down and rolled in past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Arteta responded by making changes in the second half and Viktor Gyokeres provided a lifeline by getting on the end of a Kai Havertz cutback. But, it was the Saints who ended stronger as Tom Fellows carried them up the right wing before slipping a pass into the box for substitute Shea Charles.

Charles maintained his composure and slotted past Kepa to send Southampton into the final four of the FA Cup.

Mikel Arteta rues ‘defending errors’ as Arsenal dumped out of FA Cup in shock loss to Southampton

Mikel Arteta rued Arsenal’s ‘defending errors’ as his team suffered consecutive defeats for the first time this season and were dumped out of the FA Cup thanks to a 2-1 loss at Southampton.

Super sub Shea Charles fired the Saints to Wembley as Tonda Eckert’s Championship side stunned the Premier League leaders Arsenal in a famous FA Cup quarter-final victory.

Mike Jones4 April 2026 22:44

More reaction from Ross Stewart

The striker told TNT Sports: “Incredible, we spoke about it before the game and what it would mean to the club to beat arguably the best teams in Europe at the minute.

“It’s an incredible feeling and what a night. We’ll enjoy this.

“I think credit goes to the manager. Tactically he’s been incredible since he came in. Tonight he set us up unbelievably, I thought we looked a threat on the counter and played some really good stuff.

“We just had to bide out time and Shea Charles just popped up with another late winner as well.”

Mike Jones4 April 2026 22:25

'Southampton deserve their trip to Wembley'

Alan Shearer agreed with Richards and added: “Southampton deserve their trip to Wembley.

“They were absolutely magnificent and the job that Tonda Eckert has done, what a night for them.

“They still had the belief that they could go on and win this game and they did. This is not a fluke. Thoroughly deserved.

“What a job that Eckert has done, the belief that he has given this football club from where they were to where they are now.

“Another trip to Wembley for them.”

Mike Jones4 April 2026 22:09