Arteta blames defensive errors for Arsenal’s FA Cup exit

Mikel Arteta has expressed disappointment after Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals by Championship side Southampton on Saturday, pointing to poor defending as the decisive factor.

The defeat follows their recent League Cup final loss to Manchester City, ending Arsenal’s hopes of a domestic treble and leaving them to focus on the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

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“The result, and especially the way we conceded the two goals, is disappointing,” Arteta told the BBC.

“We had so much dominance in and around the box. We conceded the first goal in a very unusual way for us, and the second from direct play.

“We had two massive chances and needed to capitalise on them. If you make the defending errors we made today, it’s very difficult to reach the semi-final.”

Arsenal were without several first-team regulars in a match played under difficult weather conditions, but Arteta refused to offer excuses and instead praised the opposition.

“They are a very good side on a strong run, and you have to congratulate them,” he said.

“You have to adapt to the wind, the injuries, and difficult moments in the season. Now we have to show what we are made of.

“That team had very good moments. We should have capitalised and been going to Wembley, but we haven’t done it.”