Southampton 2-1 Arsenal: Ross Stewart and Shea Charles wrote their name into the Saints' history books beating the Premier League leaders to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Shea Charles scores the winner for Southampton against Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter final.
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Tonda Eckert's Southampton sprang the surprise of the FA Cup quarter-finals beating Arsenal 2-1 on home soil to reach the semi-finals of the competition. The Saints will join Man City and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, with Leeds United and West Ham United to do battle tomorrow afternoon.
The Gunners were the clear favourites heading into the game, but it was the Championship side who took the lead through Ross Stewart in the 35th minute after capitalising on an uncharacteristic Arsenal error at the back. The Gunners are renowned for their defensive solidity, but they were all over the place defensively for large parts of the game.
Mikel Arteta rang the changes on the hour mark and substitute Viktor Gyokeres scored the equaliser, bundling home Gabriel Martinelli's cut back into the back of the net. However, the Southampton boss responded with his own tactical masterclass from the bench.
He brought on former Man City starlet Shea Charles, who scored the winner in the 85th minute to keep the magic of the FA Cup alive. Here are the talking points from the FA Cup quarter-final.
Carabao Cup demons linger
Kepa Arrizabalaga has started every FA Cup game for the Gunners this season, but there were question marks around whether or not the goalkeeper would banish the demons from the Carabao Cup Final defeat to Man City. The Spaniard was at fault for the opener at Wembley, dropping Rayan Cherki's cross at the feet of Nico O'Reilly, who poked home.
It was a big call for Arteta to stick with the 31-year-old, with David Raya named on the bench. Arsenal's number two didn't do much, if anything wrong tonight, but the demons from the defeat to City certainly seemed to linger for some of his teammates. Arsenal were all over the place defensively.
Although the statistics weighed heavily in Arsenal's favour, it was Southampton who were better defensively and the most likely to open the scoring with their long balls forward, causing havoc in the Gunners' backline.
Leo Scienza's chance inside the first half should have served as a warning for Arsenal, but the Brazilian forward couldn't get his footing right to roll the ball into an empty net after Kepa in the visitors' goal, with Cristhian Mosquera recovering to clear his lines.
Arsenal may have had more of the ball and attempts on goal, but Ross Stewart's opener was a perfect example of the Saints striking on the counter with efficiency. After breaking quickly, they lofted a ball to the far post, which Ben White got horribly wrong, finding Stewart in acres of space, and the Scottish striker slotted coolly into the bottom corner past Kepa.
The Gunners were all over the place in defensive transitions and couldn't deal with longer balls in behind. They were sloppy in possession and rode their luck on several occasions.
Ross Stewart scores past Kepa in Southampton's FA Cup clash with Arsenal.
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Martin Odegaard's lacklustre return
Arsenal endured a fortnight to forget after losing the Carabao Cup Final and an injury list longer than Arteta's arm. There were 11 players who were doubts through injury for today's game, though the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Odegaard returned to the starting XI. For the latter, it was an opportunity to add to just two substitute appearances since January.
Injuries have blighted his campaign, but there have also been questions about his form when he has featured. Today was an opportunity to show he can still be the creative spark Arsenal need in their quest for silverware.
The midfielder saw a lot of the ball and was a threat in the final third, but should have scored midway through the first half, scuffing an effort from 10-yards out with the goal at his mercy, just moments after forcing Daniel Peretz into a save down to his left.
That miss would prove costly with the Saints scoring minutes later. Odegaard would huff and puff to try and get his side back in the game, but to no avail. It's unclear if his substitution on the hour mark was pre-planned, but he was replaced by Noni Madueke.
Martin Odegaard was back in the Arsenal starting XI for the FA Cup clash with Southampton.
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Southampton's Samba Star
Very few Arsenal fans will have head of Scienza before tonigh't FA Cup clash, but they'll certainly remember the name now. He was a doubt for the game through injury, with Eckert revealing he was 'desperate' to play, and he certainly rose to the occasion.
The 27-year-old has spent the majority of his career in Germany before his move to Southampton, but has scored six goals and notched eight assists for the Saints this season.
The Brazilian was a constant threat down the left-hand side of the pitch, giving Ben White a torrid time. He could and should have scored in the first half.
It'll be no surprise to see him spearhead Southampton's promotion push between now and the end of the season.
Leo Scienza impressed for Southampton against Arsenal.
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'Super Max Dowman'
It's easy to forget that Max Dowman is just 16-years-old, given his confidence, fearlessness and quality on the ball. It took him just a few minutes to cut inside from the right-hand flank and force Peretz into a save - albeit a comfortable one.
The youngster was serenaded by the travelling Arsenal supporters as 'Super Max Dowman' rang out on the terraces to the tune of 'Super Jack Wilshere.' The former Arsenal midfielder had one of the best breakthroughs in recent Gunners' history with a memorable masterclass against Barcelona.
Injuries marred his career, and football fans never got to see him hit those heights on a regular basis. Arsenal will be praying that Dowman doesn't fall victim to similar setbacks and continues his incredible trajectory.
The youngster's attacking quality isn't the only impressive part of his game; 48 per cent of Arsenal's attacks came down his side in the first half, but his defensive work ethic was also a joy to watch. He was the best player on the pitch for the Gunners.
Max Dowman in action for Arsenal against Southampton in the FA Cup.
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Arsenal injury nightmare continues
Although Arteta and Arsenal were able to welcome back several key players back from injury, they were dealt a huge blow midway through the second half when Gabriel was withdrawn after going down, appearing to hold his left knee.
The Brazilian did not travel with his country in the recent international break, staying in north London to rest his injury, but was passed fit to start the game at St. Mary's.
He wasn't at his best, but is still such a key player. He had to be replaced by William Saliba in the 73rd minute, who has had injury problems himself.
Arteta will be hoping this latest setback isn't too severe with the Gunners short of options in the heart of defence.
Arsenal defender Gabriel picked up an injury in the FA Cup clash with Southampton.
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