The numbers

Southampton will host Arsenal in the FA Cup quarterfinal on April 4, 2026, at St. Mary’s Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 8 p.m. GMT. This match marks Arsenal’s first appearance in the FA Cup quarterfinal since the 2019-20 season, while Southampton is currently enjoying a remarkable 14-match unbeaten run in the Championship.

Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, faces significant challenges with a lengthy injury list, which includes 12 players. Despite these setbacks, Arteta emphasized the importance of the FA Cup, stating, “It’s a huge competition, so related to the history of our football club.” On the other hand, Southampton, under the guidance of Tonda Eckert, has won six of their last seven games, showcasing their resurgence after a difficult start to the Championship.

Historically, Southampton has struggled in the FA Cup quarterfinals against top-flight opponents, having been eliminated in their last five attempts. In contrast, Arsenal has a strong record, having progressed from 14 of their last 16 FA Cup quarter-final ties. This sets the stage for a compelling matchup, as Southampton aims to break their quarterfinal curse.

Gabriel Martinelli has been a standout performer for Arsenal in this season’s FA Cup, contributing four goals and one assist. His form will be crucial for Arsenal as they look to advance past Southampton, who last reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 2018. The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports in the UK, ESPN in the U.S., SonyLIV in India, and Stan Sport in Australia, ensuring fans worldwide can follow the action.

As the teams prepare for this pivotal clash, observers are keen to see if Arsenal can overcome their recent struggles at St. Mary’s Stadium, where they have lost twice in their last four visits. Meanwhile, Southampton’s recent form has instilled confidence in their supporters, and they will be eager to capitalize on any weaknesses in the Arsenal lineup.

With both teams having much at stake, the match promises to be an exciting encounter. Arsenal will be looking to put their Carabao Cup final loss behind them, while Southampton aims to continue their impressive run in the Championship and make a statement in the FA Cup. Eberechi Eze is set to miss most of April, adding another layer of complexity to Southampton’s preparations.

As the countdown to the match continues, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the teams will adapt to the pressures of knockout football. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final lineups, but the anticipation is building for what could be a memorable night at St. Mary’s Stadium.