Arteta Laments Arsenal’s FA Cup Exit

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration at his side’s inability to cope with long balls, which he believes was a key factor in their 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton on Saturday.

The Gunners’ elimination at St Mary’s Stadium marks their exit from a second competition within three weeks, a bitter blow for the North London club.

Ross Stewart opened the scoring for the Saints, before Viktor Gyokeres equalised for Arsenal. However, Shea Charles struck the winner with just five minutes remaining, sending Southampton through to Wembley.

“We have to congratulate Southampton. They are in Wembley, we are not,” Arteta told BBC Sport. “We didn’t manage the long balls well enough. We just let the ball through us. Difficult to explain but credit to them.”

Reflecting on Arsenal’s consecutive defeats, Arteta added: “In the season you have to go through periods. Some of them are difficult for whatever reason.

“Now we have two very disappointing results and we have to pick ourselves up. Now we have to show what we are made of and the way to do that is on the pitch and not here.”