Football

Holders Arsenal knocked out of the FA Cup

Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 26, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW BOYERS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Arsenal’s English striker Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 26, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW BOYERS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Arsenal have been knocked out of the FA Cup after they lost 1-0 to Southampton in the fourth round on Saturday.
Gabriel Magalhaes’ own goal was the only goal of a largely underwhelming contest at Saint Mary’s as the holders went out with a whimper.
The Brazilian turned a cross-shot from Kyle Walker-Peters beyond the Arsenal goalkeeper, Bernd Leno for the only goal, his slight touch meaning a ball that looked like going wide squeezed just inside the left post.
It meant Arsenal’s defence had finally been breached after going 508 minutes without conceding a goal.
Arsenal were without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, their two-goal hero in last season’s final, for personal reasons and they lacked firepower in the final third with Alexandre Lacazette not getting a run out until the 72nd minute.
Southampton’s Danny Ings smashed a shot against the foot of the right post early in the second half, although he had strayed a fraction offside.
Walcott thumped a shot high over the Arsenal bar as the hosts looked to make sure of their place in the next round.
Eddie Nketiah also saw a shot palmed away by home goalkeeper Fraser Forster, while Ward-Prowse cleared off the line from substitute Bukayo Saka, but a flag for an earlier offside would have seen that ruled out.
The Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta addressed the media after the game.
“I’m disappointed because we wanted to continue in the competition,” he said. “We had a dream to do it again – like we did it last year – step-by-step, but that dream today is over.
“As well I’m disappointed with the way we conceded the goal in an area where we know we shouldn’t be doing that and giving the lead to the opponent.”
He also noted that he had no issues with the effort put in by his charges in the contest.
“At the same time, I cannot fault the effort of the players, how they tried, how they improved throughout the game and tried to go for the goal in the second half with the way we did it,” he added. “But it wasn’t enough and we conceded a goal that we shouldn’t. We created the chances but we didn’t hit the target.”