3 reasons why £10m Southampton flop can score FA Cup winner against Arsenal

Ross Stewart is the favourite to start for Southampton against Arsenal in the FA Cup. Below are 3 reasons why Stewart can score the FA Cup winner tonight.

Southampton fans will be feeling the FA Cup nerves right now. The day every Saints fan has waited for so long has arrived. Today, Tonda Eckert and Southampton will lock horns with Premier League leaders Arsenal at St. Mary’s.

On these occasions, it’s always desired to name the best lineup possible to produce an FA Cup upset. Southampton would have loved to go with a strong playing eleven if not for Flynn Downes’ one-game suspension, a returning Leo Scienza and a minor injury to captain Jack Stephens.

Now add Cyle Larin to this list as well. In his own words, journalist Alfie House said: “Cyle Larin won’t start due to extensive international travel.” That means Ross Stewart will start as the striker for Southampton in Tonda Eckert’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

Ross Stewart for Southampton so far

Ross Stewart joined Southampton for a massive £10m transfer fee from Sunderland in 2023. Since then, the Scottish striker has been a complete flop with injuries and a lack of goals plaguing his Saints career. He has been somewhat useful this season with 6 goals and 3 assists as a traditional No.9 who does a decent bit of hold-up play up top.

Now, a huge FA Cup chance has come calling for Stewart against Arsenal. Nobody expects much from the 29-year-old striker but below are 3 reasons to believe in Stewart scoring the FA Cup winner against Arsenal tonight to send Southampton through to the semis.

3 reasons why Ross Stewart can score FA Cup winner against Arsenal

3rd consecutive start against Arsenal

Ross Stewart almost always seems to be one game away from injury at Southampton. It won’t be wrong to say that he has missed over two years of his Saints career due to injuries alone.

That said, somehow Stewart gets fit in time to face Arsenal always. His first Premier League start and his last were both against Arsenal in the previous 2024/25 season. Stewart went out injured in the first game and scored a goal in a losing 2-1 cause in the second.

Maybe, tonight turns out third time lucky for Stewart where he gets to enjoy a win over Arsenal.

Ross Stewart’s first Southampton goal was against Arsenal

As mentioned above, Stewart scored against Arsenal in the final Premier League matchday of last season. Saints lost 2-1 later, but Stewart will remember that meeting fondly for his first ever Southampton goal.

Coincidentally, it came from a Southampton corner with Stewart heading the ball past David Raya and into the net. Hence, the Scot has scored before against the Gunners. He knows a thing about beating the Arsenal defence to headers which can come handy for Tonda Eckert’s men.

Morever, it isn’t called the magic of the FA Cup for nothing. It’s usually observed that the player fans expect the least to perform well, often ends up grabbing the game winner. Ross Stewart also falls in that category.

Ross Stewart’s FA Cup comeback story at Fulham

Just last month, Southampton toured Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in the last 16 of the FA Cup. Ross Stewart came on as a second half substitute, who previously went down injured at the same stadium during the 2022/23 FA Cup.

As fate would have it, Stewart converted a late penalty to set up an Arsenal FA Cup showdown later. Strange enough, the Scot also limped in pain against Arsenal in the 24/25 season. Now that he is basically guaranteed to start, he might score another decisive FA Cup goal tonight.

Plus, this year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Southampton’s stunning FA Cup win in 1976. The Saints are playing in front of St. Mary’s too, and in the yellow anniversary kit with which they have made it to the quarter-finals so far.

Well, you can’t make this up. Maybe the FA Cup stars are aligning for Southampton to atleast reach Wembley for the semis, if not play the final again.