'Treble FC trembled' - Southampton fans mock Arsenal after 2-1 FA Cup upset

Southampton fans take cheeky jabs at Arsenal after Tonda Eckert’s side outplayed the visitors in a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup quarter finals.

Southampton has pulled off a major Cupset after eliminating Arsenal from the FA Cup quarter finals. The Saints have become just the fifth side to get the better of Arsenal this season, and the first to do so from outside the top flight.

Despite entering as underdogs against a mighty Arsenal side, Southampton brought their best game. They led for the majority of the contest and deservedly advanced to the semi‑finals with a 2‑1 home win.

The victory marks Southampton’s best FA Cup campaign in years, and the manner in which they convincingly defeated Arsenal has resonated with fans. Needless to say, Southampton supporters have flooded social media in celebration of their historic win.

Saints fans react to the club’s 2-1 win against Arsenal

One Southampton supporter didn’t hold back while noting the silence from Arsenal fans after the defeat. The Saints fan mentioned, “The silence from Arsenal fans is sponsored by Southampton.”

Notably, a pre-game match preview posted by Southampton’s club admin had drawn widespread ire from the Gunners. With Arsenal fans fuming at the corner reference used in the graphic, they were determined to avenge the cheeky jab taken at their set-piece speciality.

However, a 1-2 embarrassment at the hands of Southampton has left them with nothing to explain. Though the Gunners took more attempts on goal than the Saints, the hosts made the most of fewer but better chances to punish and outclass Arsenal in the Cup tie.

Another Southampton fan took a dig at Arsenal’s management, saying: “Even after faking injury in the international break they cannot still win against a championship team.”

It’s worth noting that Arsenal called up several players after they had joined up with their national sides during the March international break. While the medical reasons for each withdrawal were genuine on paper, a record high of 11 withdrawals raised eyebrows.

Many saw it as a calculated strategy to keep key players fit for the decisive stretch of the season.

What’s interesting is that some of the players called back due to fitness concerns ended up playing in the Cup tie against Southampton. Despite captain Martin Ødegaard, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, and other regulars featuring for Arsenal, the Premier League frontrunners failed to get past Southampton at St. Mary’s.

It’s easy to conclude that Tonda Eckert’s masterclass and a collective team effort helped the Championship side knock Arsenal out.

Southampton end Arsenal’s treble dream

When the FA Cup quarter‑final draw was made, Saints fans set their sights on ending Arsenal’s treble dream. Now that they’ve made it a reality, they’re not pulling any punches in their celebrations.

One supporter summed it up perfectly: “Treble FC TREMBLED at Southampton.”

Notably, this isn’t the first time Southampton have disrupted a Premier League giant’s historic season plans. A Nathan Jones‑led Saints side knocked Manchester City out of the 2022/23 Carabao Cup, ending their quadruple hopes.

That feat was memorable, given it came during a relegation season. This win over Arsenal is special in its own right because Southampton outclassed the Gunners while playing in the Championship. What’s common in both cases is that an underdog Saints side ended a Big Six club’s historic season dream at St. Mary’s through a Cup elimination.

Another Southampton fan built on the fun, noting how Arsenal have gone from a quadruple dream to double hopes within weeks. The supporter said: “Pentagon Hexagon Octagon Trophies-gone.”

Though Arsenal has been injury-hit in recent weeks, it will take them some doing to get past their recent Cup losses. While the Carabao Cup Final defeat to Man City is still forgettable, being outplayed by Southampton at St. Mary’s will haunt them for much longer.

Up next, Arsenal has another big game where they face Sporting in the Champions League quarter-final leg 1. Though the Gunners still have two trophies to fight for, their low morale after consecutive Cup eliminations could restrict them to just the Premier League title in the end.