Southampton dominated the Gunners in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Shay Charles scoring the winning goal in the 85th minute, ending Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Treble.
Mikel Arteta made no excuses (Image: TNT Sports)
Manager Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal to “adapt” in the face of adversity. Otherwise they risk missing out on the trophy this season. The Gunners’ Treble dreams ended on Saturday with a shock 2-1 defeat to Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals at St Mary’s.
Ross Stewart gave Southampton the lead before substitute Victor Goqueres equalized for Arsenal. However, Arteta’s side were unable to find an equalizer and conceded again with Shea Charles scoring the winning goal in the 85th minute.
Saints will march on to Wembley after thwarting Arsenal’s comeback. Meanwhile, the Gunners suffered a second straight defeat, having lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final before the international break.
Arteta was forced to make significant changes to his starting XI due to a spate of injuries and fitness issues, made worse by Gabriel Magalhães’ late injury exit, although the players had enough firepower to overcome second-tier opponents. Conditions were poor for Southampton’s opening game, partly due to the wind, but the Arsenal manager had no intention of making excuses.
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“We have to adapt to the wind and the injuries,” Arteta told TNT Sports after the match. “During the season we have to adapt to difficult conditions. Now we have to show what we are made of.”
The Gunners manager added: “We were very dominant in and around the box. The first goal was conceded in a very unusual way for us and the second goal was also conceded from direct play.”
“We had two big chances and we had to take advantage of them. If we make the defensive mistakes we made today, it will be very difficult to get to the semi-finals.”
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Arsenal sent off for Shay Charles goal (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Asked if his team were surprised by Southampton’s good performance, Arteta said: “No, they are a very good team with a very good record and we need to congratulate them.”
The Gunners are back in action on Tuesday when they face Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals of another competition, the Champions League. Arsenal have not lost in Europe this season and the pressure will be on them to continue their impressive run and get back to winning ways in Portugal.
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