Mikel Arteta expressed his commitment to support his players “more than ever” following a surprising FA Cup quarter-final loss to Southampton, a team from the second tier of English football. Despite the defeat marking the first consecutive losses for Arsenal this season, Arteta acknowledged the need for self-reflection within the squad.
Looking ahead, Arteta is optimistic about what he describes as “the most beautiful period of the season,” with the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting Lisbon set for Tuesday.
After Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Southampton capitalized on the opportunity at St Mary’s Stadium, securing a place in the semi-finals. A late winner from Shea Charles, who came on as a substitute in the second half, sealed the victory after Viktor Gyökeres had equalized for the visitors, responding to an early goal from Ross Stewart.
Arteta affirmed his affection for his players, stating, “I’m not going to criticize them for losing in the manner they did. They showed incredible effort, and some players probably shouldn’t have even participated today. I am determined to defend them now more than ever.”
In a tactical shift, Arteta made seven changes to the lineup that faced Manchester City, retaining only Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhães, and Kai Havertz from the previous match. He emphasized the importance of not making excuses regarding absent players or those who are struggling. “We need to reflect on ourselves, accept our situation, and prepare to go to Portugal with renewed energy and focus,” he noted.
During a challenging match for Arsenal, Arteta confirmed that Gabriel would undergo assessment after being substituted in the second half. The Brazilian center-back, who had previously missed international duty due to a knee issue, was replaced by William Saliba. Arteta remarked, “I think he felt something. We will need to evaluate it further. It’s concerning when a player requests to be substituted.”
On the other hand, Southampton is gearing up for their first semi-final appearance since 2021 at the end of the month. Coach Tonda Eckert emphasized the need to quickly shift focus to their upcoming Championship match against Wrexham. “From tomorrow onwards, we are focused on Championship football,” said the 33-year-old German. “The players can enjoy this victory tonight, and I will celebrate with a glass of red wine, but we must move on swiftly. We have a crucial game on Tuesday. The club has long yearned for moments like this, and we aim to extend this journey for as long as we can.”
