Southampton pulled off one of the most remarkable upsets in recent FA Cup history, defeating Arsenal to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2021.
The Saints, marking the 50th anniversary of Bobby Stokes’ legendary 1976 FA Cup final winner, donned yellow and blue commemorative kits and delivered a performance full of energy and precision. Despite Arsenal’s Premier League status, Southampton—currently a Championship side—took the game to their opponents from the start.
Arsenal’s hopes were dashed in the 32nd minute when a rapid Southampton counter-attack and a misjudged cross from Ben White allowed Stewart to score a low finish past goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Arsenal briefly equalized in the 68th minute, with Gyokeres scoring his 17th goal of the season after a Kai Havertz assist.
However, Arsenal’s momentum faltered when centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes limped off with a knee injury, leaving their defense vulnerable. Southampton capitalized in the 85th minute as Tom Fellows created the chance for Charles to finish calmly into the far corner, sealing a memorable victory at St Mary’s Stadium.
The result marks a historic moment for Southampton, who are also unbeaten in their last 15 games across all competitions and remain focused on returning to the Premier League. Arsenal now face the challenge of regrouping ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first-leg against Sporting Lisbon.
