FA CUP holders Arsenal are on the verge of being knocked out at Southampton and an ex-Spurs star has proved to be their undoing.
Kyle Walker-Peters gave the Saints the lead after his cross was deflected in off Gabriel.
And Mikel Arteta’s men rarely threatened to get back into the game in what proved to be a dour affair and comfortable win for the South Coast side.
Arsenal were not helped by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missing this game after needing to return home because of a “personal matter”.
THAT’S ALL FROM ST.MARY’S
So the holders go crashing out the cup in only the fourth round at the hands of a Southampton side who played with a lot of confidence.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were the quickest out the blocks, dominating possession and putting immediate pressure on the Gunners from the first whistle.
However Martinelli had the chance to put Arsenal 1-0 up against the run of play but he completely miskicked the ball.
The Saints’ attacking intent was eventually rewarded when a ball fizzed into the box by Kyle Walker-Peters was deflected in off Gabriel on the 24th minute.
This was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in six matches and they could have let in more if it wasn’t for the hands of Leno.
Arteta’s side did step up the tempo in the second half but couldn’t fashion any real clear cut opportunities against a shroud Southampton defence.
The home side held on for their first ever FA Cup victory against Arsenal and will now take on Wolves in the next round.
I appreciate everyone for following the blog this afternoon.
Go and enjoy the rest of your weekend people!
MATCH REPORT
For more of an insight to today’s FA Cup tie including all the player ratings and important moments from the game.
CLICK HERE FOR THE MATCH REPORT
ARSENAL’S UPCOMING FIXTURES
The Gunners will need to dust themselves down and go again because they have a tough run of fixtures coming up including the rematch against the Saints.
ARTETA’S VIEWS
The Gunners boss talks about how it feels to be eliminated from the competition and names where his team went wrong in the tie.
“I am really sad to be out of the competition, congratulations to Southampton obviously to get through to the next round.
“Disappointed to be out and disappointed in the way we lost the game. Conceding again in an area where we cannot give the ball away.
“We had some issues in the first half controlling certain aspects. A lot of unforced errors as well, that was leading them to the high press that they do but when we break that pressure, we had two or three, in the first half, important moments but we didn’t hit the target.
“In the second half we produced, I think another two or three big chances but not enough to win the game.”
“The way we conceded the first goal was our own fault and we cannot do that, we have to compete in the game or you know you are out and we have to do that better but it’s a lesson”
SUCCESSFUL WEEK
They dispatch of Shrewsbury on Tuesday and now their FIRST EVER FA Cup victory over Arsenal four days later.
What a time to be a Saints fan!
SALT N PEPE
This really did sum up Arsenal’s game.
Was he worth the £72m?
MOTM WARD-PROUSE’ ANALYSIS
James Ward-Prouse had an excellent game today and was discussing the match and Southampton’s style of play.
“Yes, good feeling for us. We knew the other night obviously to come past Shrewsbury was difficult enough but to play a team like Arsenal is difficult but I think we deserved the win today and I look forward to the next round now.
“I think our pressing was very good. We caused them a few problems but yeah we just lacked that second goal to kill the game.
“That’s what we believe in, that’s what the manager has got us playing and we all want to play that way so when it comes off like that, it’s really pleasing for sure.
“We worked very hard in the week on our game against the ball and it’s about our decision making when we win it.”
WRECK IT RALPH
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has ruined Arsenal’s plans of retaining the FA Cup this season and his biggest fan Jake Humphrey has expressed his feelings towards the manager.
FULL TIME STATS
The detailed statistics from the tie.
Southampton wanted it more today.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT IS THAT!
THE HOLDERS GO CRASHING OUT THE CUP!
FT: SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
90+3. NKETIAH YOU JUST HAD TO KEEP IT DOWN!
After pinball action in the box, the ball fell to Eddie Nketiah who lashed at the opportunity and put it out the stadium.
That should be it.
HARDWORK
All the Southampton players putting their bodies on the line to get this win!
THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME!
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
89. Teasing ball in from Saka which just needed a touch but to the despair of the Arsenal fans, nobody could do so.
The Saints are so close!
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
87. WAS THAT A PENALTY?
Holding seemed as if he clipped Long in the box but the referee gave a corner instead after a litte delay.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
85. Pepe puts it way over the bar.
So frustrating for the Arsenal dugout.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
82. The clock is ticking, can the holders rescue it?
They have a free-kick right on the edge of the box stood over by Pepe and Willian.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
80. It wouldn’t of counted because the linesman flags for offside but either-way, great defending from the captain.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
79. OFF THE LINE!
Nketiah with a snap shot just inside the box but Ward-Prouse cleared it off the line.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
77. First change of the day for Ralph Hasenhuttl.
N’Lundulu on for Adams.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
75. The Gunners’ football looking more fluid as Cedric digs out a deep cross for his team-mates to attack.
But it’s Walcott at the back post who gets the header clear.
Yes… WALCOTT
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
73. Southampton are trying to take the sting out of the game by passing it around because Arsenal have really stepped up the tempo.
This is getting interesting.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
70. Another roll of the dice for Arteta.
The top goal scorer Lacazette replaces Bellerin meaning Cedric will go to right-back and Saka drops into left-back.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
67. BIG SAVE FORSTER!
Pepe played a magnificent ball to Nketiah who took the shot early but the Saints goalkeeper got down to palm the ball away.
Arsenal are stepping it up.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 ARSENAL
64. Good chance for Walcott to score against his old club.
A cross from Adams went right across to Danny Ings who cut it back for Walcott.
But the Saints forward couldn’t keep the ball down.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
