FA Cup: Holders Arsenal sent packing by Southampton

FA Cup holders Arsenal were knocked out in the fourth round by Southampton on Saturday after a first-half own goal from Gabriel.

The Brazil centre back deflected Kyle Walker-Peters’s low drive past Bernd Leno midway through the first half at St Mary’s – the first goal the visitors had conceded in over eight and a half hours stretching back to Boxing Day – as Southampton got the better of Arsenal for the first time in the competition.

Both managers made a raft of changes with the two teams meeting again at St Mary’s in the Premier League on Tuesday evening, although the hosts still sent out a strong line-up as key striker Danny Ings returned.

Saints dominated proceedings before the break, almost opening the scoring in fortuitous circumstances when captain James Ward-Prowse’s corner from the right floated over Leno’s head, only to crash against the bar.

The Arsenal No 1 was called into action again after Che Adams left Gabriel for dead, but the German goalkeeper did well to keep out the striker’s goalbound effort before Southampton took a deserved 24th-minute lead.

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Arsenal made seven alterations from their 3-0 Premier League win over Newcastle on Monday night. New signing Mat Ryan was named on the bench as Bernd Leno continued in goal, while Hector Bellerin and Gabriel Magalhaes came into the back four. There were also starts for Mohamed Elneny, Nicolas Pepe, Willian, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.