Arsenal are dealing with the shock of another cup exit and a blow to their transfer plans
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on March 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has been called out for his touchline theatrics(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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As the dust settles on an other dismal result for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has found himself in the firing line. The Gunners’ shock 2-1 defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals marked their second cup exit in as many games.
There were worrying signs for the Gunners as uncharacteristically poor defending allowed the Saints to snatch a late victory at St Mary's. Any hopes that Arteta’s men would bounce back after their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City before the international break were seemingly misguided.
The north Londoners cannot dwell on their recent disappointments, however, as they prepare for a crucial Champions League quarter-final tie against Sporting CP on Tuesday.
Arteta blamed for 'nervous energy'
Theo Walcott pointed the blame at Arteta following Saturday night’s loss by calling out the manager’s "nervous energy." Both the Gunners boss and his side in recent years have been accused of not being able to get over the line when it comes to the business end of the season.
The defeat to Southampton exacerbated those fears, with some believing their poor display can bleed into and derail their Premier League title pursuit. Arteta’s former Arsenal team-mate Walcott, also formerly of Southampton, feels the Spaniard’s touchline antics are doing little to calm his players down.
Theo Walcott speaking in 2025
Theo Walcott accused Arteta of showing "nervous energy"(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
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He told BBC: "They have to not let the season run away from them. Everything they have built this season, don't let it affect them. They have been in this situation before and they don't want to relive that.
"Visually watching Mikel on the sidelines, it was elements of previous years where that energy reflected into the team. It was a nervous energy, it was very tense.
"Not just Mikel but a lot of the staff were out there at times. It was like too many cooks in the kitchen, too many messages. Play your best team was the right thing to do tonight. It's easy if I say that now, but you want a reaction off the cup final and it wasn't that tonight, it was worse."
Alvarez transfer talk 'crossing the line'
Julian Alvarez centre-forward of Atletico de Madrid and Argentina during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Club Brugge KV at Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano on February 24, 2026 in Madrid, Spain.
Atletico Madrid's president shut down talk of Julian Alvarez's exit(Image: Getty Images)
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Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo slammed the Spanish media at the weekend for their constant speculation about Julian Alvarez’s summer transfer. Alvarez is reportedly being eyed as a key target by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona.
But, speaking before Atletico’s La Liga defeat to Barcelona, Cerezo suggested Alvarez could remain at the club next season, taking a dig at the gathered media in the process. He said: "You are crossing the line a little with [questions and reports about] Alvarez. He's an Atletico Madrid player and has a long contract with the club."
Barcelona went on to secure a victory, with Robert Lewandowski - the same player Alvarez would be expected to replace should he make the switch - scoring a late winner from the bench.
Argentina star Alvarez has managed 17 goals and nine assists in all competitions this season, impressing several of Europe’s top clubs in the process. Atletico are understood to have slapped a £129million price-tag on the 26-year-old.
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