Arsenal player ratings vs Southampton: Max Dowman stars, Ben White exposed

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta were stunned by Championship side Southampton in a true FA Cup upset at St Mary’s Stadium.

Viktor Gyokeres has pulled the Gunners level after Ross Stewart’s opener on Saturday, 4 April, and all signs pointed towards the game going to extra time on the south coast.

Shea Charles had other ideas, however, firing home five minutes from the end of normal time, with the entire stadium exploding into jubilation, beating the current Premier League leaders.

Arsenal next face Sporting CP, with the Champions League title in full focus, but Arteta and his players will be massively disappointed after being knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Mikel Arteta right to put his trust in Max Dowman

Max Dowman’s playing time had already been limited this season, but after the teenager picked up an injury, supporters have been patiently waiting to see more of him.

The 16-year-old netted a superb goal against Everton before the international break, which was clearly enough to persuade Arteta to give him some valuable minutes in a key FA Cup clash.

He was one of the brightest players on the pitch, and his fearlessness worked in his favour, being able to continue picking up the ball and running at the Saints’ defence.

Ben White could be finished at Arsenal

Ben White was tormented by Leo Scienza for most of the night, with the full-back failing to make a simple header away before Stewart fired home the opener at St Mary’s Stadium.

Newcastle United are the latest club interested in White, with fans expecting the defender to be sold once the summer rolls around, and his performance on the south coast will do little to save him.

Arsenal player ratings in 1-0 defeat vs Southampton

• Kepa Arrizabalaga – 5
• Ben White – 2
• Cristhian Mosquera – 5
• Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
• Myles Lewis-Skelly – 4
• Christian Norgaard – 5
• Martin Odegaard – 5
• Kai Havertz – 4
• Max Dowman – 7
• Gabriel Martinelli – 5
• Gabriel Jesus – 3

Substitutes

• Viktor Gyokeres (On for Jesus 61′) – 7
• Riccardo Calafiori (On for Lewis-Skelly 61′) – 5
• Noni Madueke (On for Odegaard 61′) – 6
• William Saliba (On for Gabriel 73′) – 5
• Martin Zubimendi (On for Havertz 79′) – 6

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