Mikel Arteta has been criticised for not deploying his first team from the outset against Southampton, as Arsenal suffered a second cup exit in as many games on Saturday night.
Arteta again persisted with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal – the Spaniard having gifted Manchester City their opening goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat a fortnight ago – and made two changes to his back line from that match.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Christian Mosquera both started, lining up alongside the less frequently used Christian Norgaard and teenage sensation Max Dowman.
Viktor Gyokeres, who scored four goals over the international break for Sweden, was left on the bench among a raft of Arteta’s usual starters.
BBC commentator Micah Richards was critical of Arteta’s decision in the aftermath, suggesting Arsenal had invited pressure from Manchester City, who earlier in the day secured a decisive 4-0 FA Cup victory over Liverpool.
‘You have to play your best team,’ Richards said. ‘There is going to be so much noise around it. With Arsenal against Man City you can get beat in a final. Tonight you asked me if I would play (David) Raya. I don’t think it was anything to do with him in terms of them losing, but you have to play your best team.
Arteta again persisted with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal – the Spaniard having gifted Manchester City their opening goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat a fortnight ago
BBC commentator Micah Richards was critical of Arteta’s decision to not play his best team
‘It was only a couple of weeks ago people were saying Arsenal could do the quadruple, Now they are in two competitions. Man City, after what they did earlier on, look like they are going to push them all the way for the league and the Champions League – anyone can win that.
‘The most disappointing thing for me was watching them and their attitude. They have been excellent defensively, in transitions they have been very good, the shape has been good and the effort has been as good as anyone. For them to turn up the way they did today, I thought was very poor.’
Arteta, however, insisted that the dismay of being knocked out would not bleed fear and doubt into Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League and Champions League.
Arsenal face a critical period of their season with the first leg of a Champions League quarter final against Sporting in Lisbon on Tuesday and a crunch Premier League clash at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.
‘Let’s look at ourselves in the mirror,’ Arteta said, ‘accept the situation, rail against it, and go again to Portugal with freshness, with clarity and looking forward to it.
‘We have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us. And now is the moment. In the season, you always have moments. Normally two or three. This is the first moment that we have.
‘We’re going to say difficulty when we’re going to play the Champions League quarter-finals and the run-up for the league. If this is a difficult period, I believe there are many other ones that are much more difficult. So stand up, make yourself comfortable and deliver like we’ve been doing all season.’
Arteta also admitted that there was a concern about central defender Gabriel, who was substituted in the 72nd minute with what appeared to be a knee injury. Arsenal are already coping with a slew of injuries and Arteta pulled 10 players out of international matches last week.
‘I don’t know what Gabriel’s issue is,’ Arteta said. ‘I think he felt something. I don’t know exactly what it is. We’re going to have to assess him. But obviously when a player asks to be substituted, it’s not good news.’
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert praised his players and the home fans after his team reached the semi-finals 50 years after Southampton won the FA Cup at Wembley by beating Manchester United. ‘Our fans have been craving a moment like this for a long time,’ Eckert said.
