Arsenal will be looking to book their place at Wembley Stadium as they welcome
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the UEFA Champions League, Last 16, first-leg football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Arsenal in Leverkusen, western Germany, on March 11, 2026
Mikel Arteta will be looking to book Arsenal's place in the FA Cup semi-finals as they face Southampton at St Mary's Stadium(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
View Image
After two weeks stewing on a knockout setback, Arsenal get the chance to reset in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final away to Southampton at St Mary’s.
The Gunners edged Mansfield 2-1 in the fifth round, while the Saints beat Fulham 1-0 to book their place. Arsenal’s hopes of a four-trophy season ended at Wembley in the EFL Cup as Manchester City regained the title, with Arteta’s understrength side failing to respond to Nico O’Reilly’s quick second-half double.
Still, Arsenal remain on course elsewhere: nine points clear in the Premier League, a winnable Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon ahead, and now 90 minutes from another Wembley trip. Their Mansfield win also took them into the FA Cup last eight for the first time since winning it in 2019-20.
Southampton, the only Championship side left, are chasing a first FA Cup since 1976. They’ve knocked out Doncaster, Leicester and Fulham—Ross Stewart’s late penalty sealing the last win—and arrive in strong form, unbeaten in 14 in all competitions. Arsenal, though, beat them twice in the 2024-25 league season, including a 2-1 win on the final day.
Southampton vs Arsenal Prediction
Southampton vs Arsenal Team News
Arsenal were hit hard during the March international break, with no fewer than 10 players withdrawing from duty. Some absences were well documented — including Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke — while fresh concerns also emerged around Martin Zubimendi, Piero Hincapie, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber.
Arteta is likely to reveal little about their fitness in his pre-match press conference, and with the first leg against Sporting on the horizon, it would be no surprise if several are rested. Martin Odegaard is also nursing a knee issue, while Mikel Merino is definitely ruled out with a foot problem.
With Madueke unavailable and Saka doubtful, 16-year-old Max Dowman could be in line for a first start at St Mary’s. Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to keep his place in goal despite his latest EFL Cup mistake.
Southampton have problems of their own. Flynn Downes and Kuryu Matsuki are both suspended after picking up their second yellow cards of the FA Cup campaign at Craven Cottage. Captain Jack Stephens picked up a training injury on Monday, and Leo Scienza remains absent as he continues to recover from a groin issue.
Mads Roerslev is out for the season with a knee injury, while Welington (muscle), Jay Robinson (thigh) and Alex McCarthy (wrist) are also sidelined.
Football Betting Offers
If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site.
Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here.
Full terms and conditions apply | gambleaware.org | Gamble responsibly | 18+ | UK only
Gamble responsibly
Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit gambleaware.org.