Southampton dump holders Arsenal out of FA Cup

Southampton dumped holders Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Saturday, winning 1-0 courtesy of a Gabriel own goal to set up a fifth-round meeting with Wolves. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in 508 minutes as they suffered the first loss in seven matches. The much-changed Gunners, who have won the competition […]

Southampton dumped holders Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Saturday, winning 1-0 courtesy of a Gabriel own goal to set up a fifth-round meeting with Wolves.

It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in 508 minutes as they suffered the first loss in seven matches.

The much-changed Gunners, who have won the competition a record 14 times, fell behind midway through the first half against their energetic opponents.

Arsenal were without forward 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.

Mikel Arteta, who won the FA Cup in August in his first season as Arsenal boss, said he was “really sad” to exit the competition.