Southampton vs Arsenal Lineups, Prediction, Team News, Injury And Preview

Southampton vs Arsenal Prediction: Arsenal are expected to beat Southampton 2-1 in the FA Cup quarter-final on April 4, 2026, at St. Mary’s Stadium, as Mikel Arteta’s side — despite a significant injury crisis — possess superior squad depth and knockout pedigree against a Championship opponent managing its own suspensions and fitness concerns.

Key Facts

• Southampton host Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 8:00 PM BST (April 5, 12:30 AM IST) at St. Mary’s Stadium.
• Arsenal are chasing a treble after losing the EFL Cup final to Manchester City (0-2) — their quadruple dream is over.
• Southampton are unbeaten in 14 matches across all competitions, winning 11 of those.
• Arsenal have up to 10 players who withdrew from international duty with injuries or fitness concerns.
• Southampton’s Flynn Downes and Kuryu Matsuki are both suspended for this match.
• Arsenal have won the FA Cup on each of the last four occasions they reached the semi-finals.
• Southampton last won the FA Cup in 1976 — nearly five decades ago.

Match Overview

Detail	Information
Competition	FA Cup – Quarter-Final
Home Team	Southampton (Championship)
Away Team	Arsenal (Premier League)
Date	Saturday, April 4, 2026 (8:00 PM BST)
Venue	St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
Arsenal’s League Position	1st in the Premier League (9 points clear)
Southampton’s League Position	Playoff contention in the Championship
Head-to-Head (Last 5)	Arsenal: 2 Wins · Southampton: 1 Win · Draws: 2
Prediction	Southampton 1–2 Arsenal

Southampton vs Arsenal Preview—What Is at Stake and Why This Match Matters?

Arsenal’s season-defining ambitions took a hit when Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly scored twice in the EFL Cup final to end the Gunners’ quadruple hopes.

Mikel Arteta’s squad now channels all knockout energy into the FA Cup, where they remain the record 14-time winners.

A semi-final berth would keep their treble aspirations alive alongside a nine-point Premier League lead and a Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon.

For Southampton, this is about legacy and momentum. Tonda Eckert’s side — the only Championship club remaining in the competition — have beaten Doncaster Rovers, Leicester City, and Fulham to reach this stage.

Their 14-match unbeaten run, including a stunning 35-yard Shea Charles goal against Oxford United, has put their Championship playoff push firmly on track.

A quarter-final upset against the Premier League leaders would be a statement result for a club that hasn’t lifted the FA Cup since 1976.

Expected Southampton vs Arsenal Lineups and Formations

Southampton (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Bree, Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Jander, Romeu; Fellows, Azaz, Edozie; Stewart

Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Salmon, Mosquera, Calafiori; Havertz, Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Gyokeres, Jesus

Arsenal’s lineup reflects the scale of their injury crisis. Arteta is expected to rest several first-choice players with the Sporting Lisbon Champions League tie looming.

The inclusion of 16-year-old Max Dowman on the right wing signals both necessity and trust in youth. Kai Havertz drops into midfield, while Viktor Gyokeres leads the line alongside Gabriel Jesus.

Southampton lose midfield structure without Downes and Matsuki but retain a solid spine through Taylor Harwood-Bellis and the experienced Oriol Romeu.

Injury Report: Both Teams Under Pressure

Arsenal — A Squad Stretched Thin

Arsenal’s injury list reads like a crisis bulletin. Ten players pulled out of March international duty:

Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke carry well-documented injuries. Martin Zubimendi, Piero Hincapie, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Jurrien Timber all reported unforeseen issues during the break.

Martin Odegaard continues managing a knee problem, and Mikel Merino is confirmed out with a foot injury.

Arteta will almost certainly protect his key assets for the Champions League.

The absence of Saka and Madueke on the flanks removes Arsenal’s primary creative threat from wide areas, placing enormous responsibility on Dowman and Jesus.

Southampton — Suspensions and Setbacks

Flynn Downes and Kuryu Matsuki serve suspensions after accumulating yellow cards in the FA Cup.

Captain Jack Stephens suffered a training-ground injury on Monday. Leo Scienza remains sidelined with a groin problem.

Mads Roerslev (knee) is out for the season, while Welington (muscle), Jay Robinson (thigh), and Alex McCarthy (wrist) are all unavailable.

Key Injuries That Could Shift the Game

The absence of Bukayo Saka is the single biggest factor. Saka has been Arsenal’s most dangerous attacker this season, and without him, the Gunners lack a reliable one-on-one threat from the right.

Declan Rice’s potential absence weakens Arsenal’s midfield control — his ability to break up play and transition quickly is irreplaceable.

For Southampton, losing Flynn Downes removes their most press-resistant midfielder, which could leave gaps for Arsenal to exploit through the center.

Also Read Coventry City vs Derby County Prediction.

Head-to-Head Record

The recent head-to-head record favors Arsenal, though Southampton have caused problems at St. Mary’s before.

Date	Competition	Result
May 25, 2025	Premier League	Southampton 1–2 Arsenal
Oct 5, 2024	Premier League	Arsenal 3–1 Southampton
Apr 22, 2023	Premier League	Arsenal 3–3 Southampton
Oct 23, 2022	Premier League	Southampton 1–1 Arsenal
Apr 16, 2022	Premier League	Southampton 1–0 Arsenal

Arsenal won both meetings in 2024-25, including a dramatic final-day victory at St. Mary’s where Martin Odegaard scored a last-gasp winner and Kieran Tierney netted an emotional farewell goal.

However, Southampton beat Arsenal 1-0 at home in April 2022, and the two sides drew 3-3 in a wild encounter at the Emirates in 2023.

Crucially, Arsenal’s last FA Cup title defence ended at St. Mary’s in the 2020-21 third round — a result that still lingers in the memory.

Tactical Analysis: How Both Sides Will Approach the Game

Arsenal’s makeshift XI will likely prioritize controlled possession and patience. Without their usual wide threats, Arteta may instruct Havertz and Lewis-Skelly to overload central areas, relying on Gyokeres’ movement to stretch Southampton’s backline.

Kepa Arrizabalaga continues in goal despite a shaky EFL Cup final — his distribution remains valuable for building from the back.

Southampton under Eckert play a compact, counter-attacking style that suits cup football perfectly.

Romeu and Jander will sit deep to protect the center-backs, while the pace of Nathan Edozie on the left wing could trouble Ben White if Arsenal push their fullbacks high.

Ross Stewart, who scored the decisive penalty against Fulham in round five, offers a physical focal point that Arsenal’s makeshift center-back pairing of Salmon and Mosquera hasn’t faced regularly.

Players to Watch

Max Dowman (Arsenal)

The 16-year-old winger gets a huge opportunity.

His directness and fearlessness could be exactly what Arsenal need against a Championship defense, but the occasion could also overwhelm a teenager making one of his first senior starts.

Ross Stewart (Southampton)

The Scottish striker thrives in big moments. His penalty against Fulham showed composure under pressure, and he will relish the physical battle against Arsenal’s second-choice defenders.

Kai Havertz (Arsenal)

Deployed in midfield, Havertz becomes Arsenal’s creative fulcrum. His ability to arrive late in the box and link play between the lines makes him the most likely Gunner to unlock Southampton’s low block.

Shea Charles (Southampton)

The Northern Irish midfielder scored a 35-yard screamer against Oxford and has been one of the Championship’s standout performers this season. His energy and range of passing will be critical without Downes alongside him.

Where to Watch Live?

Country	Channels/Platforms
United Kingdom	BBC One, BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports 1, HBO Max
United States	ESPN Select, fuboTV, ESPN App
India	Sony LIV, SONY TEN 1, JioTV
Canada	Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Plus, Sportsnet 360
Australia	Stan Sport
Germany	DAZN
France	beIN Sports MAX 5, beIN SPORTS CONNECT
Spain	Movistar+
Italy	DAZN Italia

Form Comparison

Southampton enter this match in outstanding form: W-W-D-W-W-W across all competitions, with three consecutive FA Cup wins. Their 10 points from 12 in the Championship underline genuine consistency.

Arsenal’s recent form reads W-W-D-W-W-L, with the EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City the only blemish. Three straight FA Cup wins — including victories over Bolton, Aston Villa, and Mansfield — keep their cup pedigree intact.

Prediction: Southampton 1–2 Arsenal

Arsenal’s squad depth, even in a weakened state, should prove sufficient against a Southampton side that also has selection headaches and bigger Championship priorities.

The Gunners’ experience in knockout football — combined with the quality of Gyokeres, Havertz, and Jesus — gives them the edge. Southampton will make it uncomfortable, and Stewart could well find the net, but Arsenal should advance to the semi-finals in a tight, competitive contest.

Expect a scrappy, physical affair rather than a showcase of flowing football.

FAQs