Southampton 1-0 Arsenal: Gabriel own goal knocks FA Cup holders out
Arsenal #Arsenal
A strong Southampton side knocked holders Arsenal out of the FA Cup at the fourth-round stage courtesy of a first-half own goal.
The Saints were rewarded for their attacking intent in the opening period when Gabriel turned in Kyle Walker-Peters’ cross in the 24th minute.
It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in 508 minutes as they suffered a first loss in seven matches.
Southampton will face another Premier League side, Wolves, in the next round.
With their next opponents enduring a poor run in the league and having struggled in their 1-0 win at non-league Chorley on Friday, the 1976 winners will fancy their chances of progressing further at Molineux.
The Saints also went close through Che Adams, whose low, angled strike was saved brilliantly by Bernd Leno, and James Ward-Prowse, who saw his delivery from a corner come off the bar.
Arsenal were without striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, while another in-form player, Bukayo Saka, was only introduced in the second half.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners side were tepid as an attacking force during the first 45 minutes, but looked more of a threat after the break.
However, Eddie Nketiah’s deflected shot in the 67th minute, which was superbly dealt with by home goalkeeper Fraser Forster, was their only effort of note.
Line-ups Southampton
Formation 4-4-2
44Forster
2Walker-Peters35Bednarek5Stephens3Bertrand
17Armstrong8Ward-Prowse27Diallo32Walcott
9Ings10Adams
Substitutes
Arsenal
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Leno
2Bellerín16Holding6Gabriel17Cédric Soares
25Elneny34Xhaka
19Pépé12Willian35Martinelli
30Nketiah
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Southampton 1, Arsenal 0.
90’+4′
Second Half ends, Southampton 1, Arsenal 0.
90’+3′
Attempt missed. Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Willian with a headed pass.
90’+2′
Cédric Soares (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+2′
Foul by James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).
90’+2′
Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Granit Xhaka.
88′
Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Rob Holding.
85′
Substitution, Southampton. Shane Long replaces Danny Ings.
84′
Attempt missed. Nicolas Pépé (Arsenal) left footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right is too high from a direct free kick.
83′
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
83′
Nicolas Pépé (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the right wing.
83′
Foul by Ryan Bertrand (Southampton).
82′
Attempt saved. Danny Ings (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ibrahima Diallo with a headed pass.
81′
Foul by Thomas Partey (Arsenal).
81′
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
80′
Offside, Arsenal. Eddie Nketiah tries a through ball, but Nicolas Pépé is caught offside.
78′
Offside, Arsenal. Willian tries a through ball, but Alexandre Lacazette is caught offside.
78′
Substitution, Southampton. Daniel N’Lundulu replaces Che Adams.
75′
Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Kyle Walker-Peters.
75′
Attempt blocked. Willian (Arsenal) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nicolas Pépé.
