From treble to trouble?: Southampton stun Arsenal and knock them out of the FA Cup.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have bottled two competitions in a span of two weeks. (Image credits - Grok)

Just two weeks ago Arsenal were firmly in the race for the quadruple, but a shocking loss against Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium means the Gunners are now only fighting for two trophies: the Champions League and the Premier League. Mikel Arteta's side had crashed out in the EFL Cup final against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and now have crashed out from the FA Cup quarter-final after Shea Charles bagged the winner in a sensational 2-1 win for the home side.

The Championship side took the lead just before half-time with Ross Stewart stepping up. However, late in the second half, Viktor Gyökeres equalised for the visitors, and it seemed that the game would head into extra time. Despite conceding, Southampton pushed on for the winner, and Arteta's side were never comfortable at the back after they had lost Gabriel to a potential knee injury. The Saints restored their lead in the 85th minute and ended the treble hopes of all the Arsenal fans in the world. Southampton will face Manchester City in the semi-final, who had thrashed Liverpool 4-0 in the quarter-finals.

Arsenal will now aim to fight for the Premier League and the Champions League as we head into the most crucial part of the season. The Gunners are now sitting top of the table with a nine-point advantage over Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Arteta's side will face Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and aim to qualify for their second consecutive UCL semi-finals. However, this FA Cup loss exposed them, which could hurt them in the UCL, and psychologically it will give a huge advantage to Manchester City in the league.

"They have to not let the season run away from them," said former Arsenal player Theo Walcott. (sic)

He added, "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. 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.” (sic)

The Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup were an opportunity for the Gunners to win their first major trophy in the last six years. They have not lifted the Premier League for 22 years and have finished runners up for three consecutive years. It is ‘Now or Never’ for Arsenal.

Arsenal has played good football throughout the season and has grinded out results against top teams like Bayern Munich. However, one could see the nervousness within the players as the season is heading towards its most crucial stage. It seems as if the ghosts of the past are coming back to haunt them again, and that was pretty evident in their performance against the Championship side at the St Mary's Stadium.

"I love my players. What they have done for nine months. I won't criticise them for losing a game here, given how hard they tried and how much they sacrificed. Some of them probably didn't even have to be here. I'm not going to do that. I'm going to defend them more than ever,” said Mikel Arteta following the game. (sic)

He added, "Someone has to take responsibility. That's me, and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us. In the season, you always have moments. Normally two or three. This is the first moment that we have. So stand up, make yourself comfortable and deliver like we've been doing all season.” (sic)

What does this shocking FA Cup exit mean for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal?

On paper Arsenal were the favourites to win against Southampton even with a rotated squad. However, Mikel Arteta's side lacked the cutting edge to get past the sturdy Saints, who were rallied on by their home support. This is not the first time Arsenal have failed under pressure. While Arteta's men have dominated in the league, they have failed to implement the same dominance in the knockout competitions.

Rotations at this stage are necessary, especially with the Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting Lisbon coming up this week. However, the balance seemed to be missing in Arteta's lineup against the Saints'. Arsenal were predictable in build-up, and in the final third they were simply not up to the mark. They were able to create half chances, but Southampton had more threat in the opposition box than the Premier League leaders. The Gunners had spent £250m this summer, and yet the rotation players seemed to lack cohesion while playing in the team.

Mikel Arteta added, "Giving them [the players] clarity, giving more conviction, trusting our players, and believing in what we are doing.” (sic)

“We need to continue to do that with the tweaks that every game demands. But especially maintaining the speed, the attitude and the energy at the highest possible level. Because that's critical to perform at the level that we need to win matches.” (sic)

This loss also exposed Arsenal's vulnerability in key moments, as, despite having a brilliant backline this season, conceding last-minute goals leaves a psychological imprint at the end of the day. They would be in big trouble soon if this becomes recurring, especially in the Champions League knockouts. The players have to remain concentrated throughout the ninety minutes; otherwise, this mental fragility will hurt them.

Mikel Arteta has upgraded this team significantly and has turned this team into genuine title contenders from a club which used to finish eighth in the league. His long-term planning, tactical ability and man management have earned a lot of praise as well. However, if he is not able to win the Premier League this season despite making such heavy investment in the squad, it would be a complete failure of the whole project.

This loss to Southampton in some way would benefit Arsenal as well. They won't need to play the double games in a single week since they're out of the FA Cup. With fewer distractions, they will be able to fully focus on locking down the Premier League and the Champions League.

However, it could dent the players' confidence, especially in knockout games. Mikel Arteta and co. must ensure this game doesn't become the turning point of their season for the wrong reasons. They need to brush this game off and learn from their mistakes and prepare for the crucial seven games in the league ahead.