Mikel Arteta rubbishes Southampton fluke win claims after 2-1 Arsenal win

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta plays down claims that Southampton’s 2-1 victory over his side in the FA Cup quarter-final was a fluke.

Even after 48 hours, Southampton’s FA Cup win over a mighty Arsenal side remains the talk of the town. Though it might not be the biggest upset this Cup campaign has seen, it is the most celebrated for its special significance to the Saints.

That’s because Southampton’s win over Arsenal has put them in contention to win the FA Cup on the 50th anniversary of their 1976 triumph. Should they do it, they would qualify for the Europa League despite being a Championship side.

For the record, no second‑division side has won the FA Cup since the Premier League rebrand in 1992. Given that the Saints have advanced a massive step in this quest by eliminating Cup favourites Arsenal, Southampton’s victory is being dismissed by some Gunners as a fluke.

However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta dismissed any such claims himself. In his post‑match interview, the Arsenal manager congratulated Southampton for the win and highlighted why they fully deserved it.

As quoted by Daily Echo, Arteta mentioned: “I want to congratulate Southampton, I think they are a really good side.”

Mikel Arteta further added: “It’s not a coincidence they are on the run they are. They were far more efficient than we were when it mattered. That’s why they are at Wembley.”

Southampton and the “Fluke win” story

It’s no secret that losing to Southampton in the FA Cup has been difficult for Arsenal fans to accept. And fairly so, given the Gunners have arguably been the best side in Europe and the Premier League this season.

Pre-game, Arsenal fans expected the club to dominate Southampton in the Cup tie. Now that the Gunners have been outplayed, several fans labelled Southampton’s 2-1 victory at St. Mary’s as a fluke win.

Under Southampton’s X post of quoting the full-time 2-1 scoreline, an Arsenal supporter replied: “Fluke win.” However, the Saints club admin didn’t hold back any punches either.

Having already taken shots at direct rivals Portsmouth, the official Southampton handle fired back: “Enjoy your quadruple, pal.”

The reference was to Arsenal’s hopes of a memorable 2025/26 campaign with four trophies: the Champions League, Premier League, EFL Cup, and FA Cup.

However, an EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City and an FA Cup exit to Southampton have left them with just two titles to play for. The Southampton admin’s reply was a sarcastic dig at telling the Arsenal fans to enjoy their imagined quadruple.

Mikel Arteta plays down “fluke win” claims

Arsenal fans will eventually get over the defeat, but Mikel Arteta stood professional in his conduct by giving Southampton credit for their performance. Arteta emphasised that the Saints were simply more efficient with the chances they created.

Notably, Southampton stood as the second-best side on most trackable metrics in the FA Cup quarterfinal. Trailing behind Arsenal in xG created, number of shots and possession, the Saints won the game by utilising their chances better.

Despite trailing in other metrics, Southampton created two big chances to Arsenal’s one. Though the Saints didn’t convert both these opportunities, they utilised their good chances well enough to win the game.

On the other hand, Arsenal squandered several crucial opportunities that came their way.

Before Ross Stewart opened the scoring, Arsenal captain Ødegaard had a couple of opportunities to put his side ahead. Whether due to poor finishing or Southampton’s exceptional defending, the injury‑returnee failed to get on the scoresheet.

Overall, it was a convincingly efficient display from all departments that has taken Southampton to Wembley. While they’ve drawn another Big Six opponent as Man City in the FA Cup semi-final, Tonda Eckert’s in-form side will back themselves to produce another Cupset.