Southampton 2-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners crash out of FA Cup

Arsenal went crashing out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Championship side Southampton.

Mikel Arteta made changes to the side that fell to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, bringing in the likes of Christian Nørgaard, Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Ben White were among those to keep their spots in the team. Martin Ødegaard also made his return from injury to come into the lineup.

The Saints had a brilliant chance to open the scoring when Leo Scienza broke through on goal, but Cristhian Mosquera kept up with him to make an outstanding challenge and deny him.

The deadlock was broken with 10 minutes remaining of the first-half and it was the hosts who went in front. James Bree's cross evaded White at the back post, allowing Ross Stewart to bring the ball down and beat Kepa, ensuring the Saints went into the break in front.

Scienza went close to adding a second before the hour mark when he cut in from the left and fired at goal, but his strike rattled the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.

Arteta had seen enough by the hour mark and opted to make the changes with that proving successful minutes later. Fresh off the bench, Viktor Gyökeres did brilliantly to break into the middle and meet a low cross from Kai Havertz to level matters.

Disaster struck for Arsenal with five minutes left to play as Southampton hit on the break and restored their advantage through a good finish by Shea Charles.

That proved to be the deciding goal as the Gunners went crashing out of the FA Cup to make it two cup defeats in their last two games.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their FA Cup exit at Southampton.

Southampton 2-1 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 5/10 - Better than his Carabao Cup final performance, but let two goals in.

Ben White (RB) - 4/10 - Missed a header to allow Stewart to break the deadlock. Struggled throughout the night.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - 6.5/10 - Did brilliantly to keep up with Scienza to make a great tackle and deny him the opener. Gave the ball away in a dangerous area in the second-half.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 7/10 - Had some good battles with Stewart throughout the first half, but was forced off with a knock after the break.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - 5/10 - Guilty of giving the ball away and allowing Southampton in for a chance. Just doesn't seem to be able to take his chances at the moment. Taken off after 60 minutes.

Midfielders

Martin Ødegaard (CM) - 7/10 - A positive return for the captain as he pulled the strings early on, but his influence faded and he was taken off in the second-half, likely to protect his fitness.

Christian Nørgaard (CM) - 6.5/10 - Saw a shot down the middle saved easily by Peretz. Relatively solid in the centre.

Kai Havertz (AM) - 6.5/10 - Made a good run down the left side to square for Gyökeres to level matters from close range. Brought off in the closing stages.

Forwards

Max Dowman (RW) - 9/10 - Caused so many problems down the right side and was denied the opener by Peretz. Saw a stunning strike saved late on. Easily the best player on the pitch.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 6/10 - Struggled to have any impact other than winning a few flick-ons from set piece deliveries. Withdrawn on the hour mark.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 6.5/10 - Caused a few problems down the left side, but struggled to with his set piece deliveries. Struck from the edge late on, but his effort went just past the post.

Substitutes

• Riccardo Calafiori (on 60' for Lewis-Skelly) - 6/10
• Viktor Gyökeres (on 60' for Jesus) - 7/10
• Noni Madueke (on 60' for Ødegaard) - 5/10
• William Saliba (on 72' for Gabriel) - N/A
• Martin Zubimendi (on 79' for Havertz) - N/A

Player of the match: Max Dowman