Mikel Arteta has refused to criticise Arsenal following the club’s shock FA Cup exit at Southampton.
Arsenal’s treble hopes came to an end after a 2-1 defeat to the Championship side at St Mary’s. Shea Charles’ 85th-minute winner secured an upset for Southampton who will head to Wembley for the semi-finals.
Viktor Gyokeres had cancelled out Ross Stewart’s opener for the Saints as Arsenal levelled the tie, but Charles’ smart finished stunned the Gunners.
The defeat follows Arsenal’s loss in the League Cup final, with the North London side’s pursuit of four trophies rapidly turned to two.
Despite that, Arteta said he will not criticise his team but called on Arsenal to ‘look at ourselves in the mirror’.
“I love my players, what they have done for nine months. I’m not going to criticise them for losing here. What they are putting their bodies through, some didn’t have to be here today. I’ll defend them more than ever.
“If someone has to take responsibility that’s me. We have the most beautiful period ahead of us. Normally you have two or three moments like this in a season, this is the first moment with a level of difficulty. Let’s stand up and make ourselves count.
“No excuses about players that are missing or that are here with issues. Let’s look at ourselves in the mirror, accept the situation, rebel against it and go forward with clarity.”
