Arteta hints at “black arts” as Southampton knock Arsenal out of FA Cup
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta suggested Southampton F.C. used the “dark arts” of the game to secure their FA Cup quarter-final victory, despite officially congratulating the hosts.
The Gunners boss cut a frustrated figure after his side’s 2-1 defeat at St Mary’s, where their hopes of reaching Wembley were ended by Championship opposition.
While Arteta admitted his team failed to take their chances, he also pointed toward Southampton’s game management, hinting it went beyond pure football.
“We had many periods of dominance but didn’t capitalise,” he said. “When that happens, you leave the door open — and they knew exactly how to manage those moments.”
Southampton took the lead through Ross Stewart before Arsenal responded via Viktor Gyokeres, but the match swung decisively when Shea Charles came off the bench to seal the win.
Arteta, however, appeared to question how the game was controlled in key phases.
“They were very efficient, yes,” he added. “But there are ways of doing that — slowing things down, breaking rhythm, using experience in certain moments. We’ve seen every kind of behaviour from opponents this season.”
Though he stopped short of a direct accusation, the Spaniard’s comments hinted at frustration with what many would describe as football’s “black arts” — tactics designed to disrupt flow and frustrate opponents.
“Credit to them for getting the result,” Arteta continued. “But we have to look at ourselves and be much better, especially when the game becomes like that.”
Southampton now advance to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals, with their place secured through a performance that combined clinical finishing with what Arteta implied was a masterclass in game management.
