Southampton 2-1 Arsenal result - Shea Charles nets late winner to send Saints to Wembley FA Cup semi-final

The Emirates FA Cup / Quarter-final

St. Mary's Stadium / 04.04.2026

Finished

2

1

R. Stewart(35')
S. Charles(85')

V. Gyökeres(68')

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22:29

CHARLES NETS LATE WINNER AS SOUTHAMPTON SHOCK ARSENAL

Shea Charles’ late finish helped Championship side Southampton stun Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 and book their place in the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals.

Saints played with positivity and intent from the first minute, looking to capitalise on any Arsenal nerves, after they lost in the Carabao Cup final before the international break.

Nerves from The Gunners were evident, and a misjudged header from Gabriel let Leo Scienza in on goal, but the winger, back from a groin injury, took a heavy touch when he rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristhian Mosquera got back to make a recovery tackle.

That scare initially looked to click Arsenal into gear, only for Ross Stewart to hit them with a sucker punch, controlling and shooting past Kepa after Ben White had missed the cross.

Despite dominating possession, Arsenal rarely created clear chances, and were relying on long shots from teenage winger Max Dowman until Mikel Arteta finally turned to his bench.

The decision paid dividends when Kai Havertz ghosted in behind to pull back to substitute Viktor Gyokeres who tapped home from close range.

With extra time looming and both sides in midweek action, the match became more open as Arsenal desperately sought a winner.

However, it was Saints who profited, when Charles rounded off a tidy move with a pinpoint finish into the far corner off the post.

Southampton join Chelsea and Manchester City in Sunday's semi-final draw, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, with Wembley beckoning.

Arsenal now turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday when they take on Sporting CP as they hope to stop their season descending into freefall.

Southampton, meanwhile, take on Wrexham in a match that could be pivotal for their Championship play-off hopes.

22:27

SHEA CHARLES REACTS AFTER FAMOUS WIN

22:17

HMMMMMMM

22:15

WATCH: ROSS STEWART REACTS TO MASSIVE FA CUP UPSET

22:11

THE NUMBERS BEHIND TONIGHT'S SHOWDOWN

22:06

WATCH: THE SCENES AT THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE

22:02

WATCH: ST MARY'S ERUPTS AFTER CHARLES BAGS LATE WINNER

Let's have a look at that winner, shall we?

‘This place is mad!’ – St Mary’s ERUPTS after Charles bags late winner for Saints

Video credit: TNT Sports

21:59

WHO WILL SOUTHAMPTON FACE IN THE SEMIS?

And then there were five.

Man City, Chelsea and Southampton have all booked their trips to Wembley. They will be joined by either West Ham or Leeds, who face off tomorrow live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

But who will play who? Well find out in our draw tomorrow, right after the full-time whistle at the London Stadium.

The Emirates FA Cup

When is the FA Cup semi-final draw? How to watch on TNT Sports and HBO Max

02/04/2026 at 13:19

21:55

FULL TIME! SOUTHAMPTON 2-1 ARSENAL

Arsenal have been shellshocked at St Mary's!

Southampton were fantastic from start to finish and fully deserve their spot in the semi-finals as Tonda Eckert's tenure continues to go from strength to strength.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are dumped out of two cups in as many weeks, and their season is in danger of spiralling out of control.

The Saints go marching on to Wembley!

90+5'

MARTINELLI BOOKED FOR SHOVING REFEREE

Madueke cuts inside but his strike is wild. Might have been a deflection but a goal kick is given.

Dowman is felled again, but it is Martinelli who gets the yellow card after giving referee Sam Barrott a shove. I'm surprised the punishment is so lenient there to be honest, you can't push a ref.

Calafiori gets on a rebound but his half-volley sails over.

Yellow card

G. Martinelli

Arsenal

90+2'

LAST CHANCE SALOON FOR ARSENAL

Arsenal free-kick. Gyokeres shoots but fires straight into the Southampton wall.

Kepa's sweeping is vital to bail out White after another error. Southampton come again.

Fellows cuts in but is crowded out. Martinelli breaks but he's on his own.

He shoots, but it is straight at Peretz.

90'

SIX MINUTES FOR SAINTS TO HOLD ON

The magic of the FA Cup is very much alive and kicking. What have Arsenal got in them to avoid a huge shock?

Bree puts in the hard yards to save a corner and concede a throw instead. The eventual cross is then pounced on by Peretz.

SIX minutes of added time.

86'

GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 2-1 ARSENAL (CHARLES)

Have they just got a winner?!

It is the Manchester City academy product Shea Charles as the Saints sweep forward on the counter!

The move forwardis absolutely lovely as Fellows drives inside before offloading it to Charles, who just opens up his body and passes into the far corner off the post.

‘This place is mad!’ – St Mary’s ERUPTS after Charles bags late winner for Saints

Video credit: TNT Sports

84'

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DOWMAN FORCES GOOD SAVE OUT OF PERETZ

All Arsenal possession-wise, but no cutting edge yet. Southampton look more dangerous on the counter, if anything.

Dowman finally gets space to take a curling shot from the edge of the area, but Peretz gets two hands at full stretch to push the ball to safety!

80'

ZUBIMENDI COMES ON FOR ARSENAL

Another foul from White that escapes a booking. Arsenal bring on Zubimendi for Havertz, who has probably been their best player tonight.

Southampton are still providing plenty of threat here, showcased by Larin nearly getting in behind but the pass wasn't accurate enough.

Ten minutes to go for either side to find a winner or it will be extra time and maybe penalties.

Substitution in

M. Zubimendi

Arsenal

Substitution out

K. Havertz

Arsenal

78'

SOUTHAMPTON MAKE THEIR THIRD CHANGE OF THE EVENING

Another change for Southampton as Bragg is replaced by Shea Charles. He becomes the third Man City academy graduate to take to the field for Southampton tonight. Coincidence?

Here is the clip of that Gyokeres equaliser that has brought the Gunners back into this competition.

Substitution in

S. Charles

Southampton

Substitution out

C. Bragg

Southampton

75'

WHITE TAKES CAPTAIN'S ARMBAND NOW

Ben White becomes the third wearer of the Arsenal armband tonight after Gabriel's departure.

Fellows clips in a cross which is missed by Saliba but White is there to turn it round for a corner.

Kepa flaps at the delivery, but gets enough on it to send it away from the danger zone.

72'

SOUTHAMPTON MAKE DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION WHILE GABRIEL FORCED OFF INJURED

Extra time anybody?

Southampton make their first changes of the night, as goalscorer Ross Stewart and Leo Scienza are replaced by Cyle Larin and Samuel Edozie.

Gabriel is down, holding his knee, Saliba is coming on in his place.

Substitution in

S. Edozie

Southampton

Substitution out

L. Scienza

Southampton

68'

GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 ARSENAL (GYOKERES)

Back in it!

After looking so frustrated for so long, it is a relatively simple goal for Arsenal!

Havertz ghosts through the defensive line to get through, before pulling it back to Gyokeres who taps into an empty net.

First Sweden's hero, now Arsenal's?

‘They made it look so simple’ – Gyokeres comes off bench to grab equaliser

Video credit: TNT Sports

Goal

V. Gyökeres

Arsenal

66'

ARSENAL CAN'T CAPITALISE ON SOUTHAMPTON ERROR

Madueke runs at Wood, and gets past him before going down. It looks like a blatant dive, but to be fair, Madueke didn't even ask for a penalty.

Harwood-Bellis is the latest player to give the ball away, but Dowman's pass is inaccurate and the half-chance for Arsenal disappears in an instant.

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