Southampton Form
The team have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the third time in the last five years. However, the road to the upcoming tie can hardly be called easy. The club first overcame Doncaster away (3:2), then needed extra time at home to edge past Championship strugglers Leicester (1:1, aet 2:1). In the round of 16, they had to face Premier League side Fulham, and Southampton beat the Londoners at their ground 1:0. The decisive goal came from the penalty spot in the 91st minute.
- The team have avoided defeat in 7 of their last 9 matches in this tournament (5 wins and 2 draws).
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in 5 of Southampton’s previous 7 FA Cup games.
- The club have conceded no more than one goal in 7 of their last 9 matches in this cup.
Potential Southampton Lineup (3-4-2-1)*
Georg Long – Elias Jelert, Nathan Wood, Joshua Quarshie, Ryan Manning – Oriol Romeu, Cameron Bragg – Kuriyu Matsuki, Cameron Archer, Samuel Edozie – Kyle Larin.
Midfielder Flynn Downes and Kuriyu Matsuki are suspended. Defenders Welington and Mads Roerslev Rasmussen will miss out through injury.
Arsenal Form
The Gunners have had a kind draw so far. This will be their fourth match of the current campaign, yet they have not faced a Premier League opponent at any stage. In the first two rounds, the Londoners cruised past their opponents by comfortable margins, but in the previous round they had to work hard against League One club Mansfield, who were beaten by the narrowest of margins (1:2). It is worth noting that Arsenal have reached this late stage of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2019/20 season.
- No more than three goals were scored in 14 of the Gunners’ previous 16 matches in this tournament.
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in 7 of Arsenal’s last 10 FA Cup matches.
- The Londoners have won 11 of their previous 15 away matches in this cup (4 defeats).
Potential Arsenal Lineup (5-4-1)*
Kepa Arrizabalaga – Christian Mosquera, William Saliba, Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly – Christian Norgaard, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze – Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus.
Midfielders Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino, as well as defender Eberechi Eze, will miss the match through injury. The participation of forwards Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Noni Madueke is in doubt due to fitness issues, along with midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice and defender Piero Incapie.
Who Will Referee the Match
Sam Barrott (England)
Matches officiated – 23 (the Premier League and English cups, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 77;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 22%.
* For each team, the starting XI from their most recent match in this tournament is listed.
