The FA Cup holders Arsenal perished against the Saints owing to an unfortunate own goal by Gabriel in the fourth round. Southampton defeated the Gunners 1-0, leaving Mikel Arteta with a disappointing face at the St Mary’s on Saturday.

Scream Arsenal and the echo sounds like ‘FA Cup’, but at the St Mary’s Ralph Hasenhüttl’s Southampton managed to play with the sound waves and knocked out the 14 time winners in an effectively 93 minute draw.

This match marked the first instance that Southampton have managed to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup. The Saints can now add the Gunners to their list of big wins this season, a list that features Liverpool. 

The first hour of the game belonged completely to the hosts as they created enough pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side, to cause Gabriel’s misjudgement on Walker-Peter’s shot. The Gunners did find some rhythm in the second half when they threw Partey and Saka in the game, but it was too late by then. 

Saints captain and man-of-the-match James Ward-Prowse told BT Sport,“It’s a good feeling for us. To come past Shrewsbury was difficult enough, but to play a team like Arsenal was difficult and I think we deserved to win. Our pressing was very good. We lacked that second goal to kill the game, but from front to back we were solid. Our decision-making was good. We believe we can do it against anyone. They had spells of possession but we came through it very well. Lots of positives to take from the game. A good tie in the next round, and we’re looking forward.”

Southampton will face the Wolves in the next round of the FA Cup.