Mikel Arteta Outlines Arsenal's FA Cup Strategy and Squad Updates Ahead of Southampton Clash Mikel Arteta addressed media ahead of Arsenal’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton, offering insights into the team’s preparations, player availability, and broader context for the match. The press conference, held at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, focused on several key topics, including the club’s recent success, international duty impacts, injury updates, and the significance of the upcoming fixture. Arteta reflected on Arsenal’s Manager of the Month award, emphasizing the team’s strong performances during a critical phase of the season. “Winning Manager of the Month means we won a lot of games in a really important and crucial part of the season,” he said, highlighting the collective effort behind the achievement. He noted that the recognition was a natural reflection of the team’s form, underscoring the importance of consistent results. The manager also discussed the impact of players withdrawing for international duty, stressing the club’s collaboration with national teams. “We have very good relationships with most national teams, especially with Thomas Tuchel,” Arteta explained. He reiterated that medical decisions ultimately determine player availability, adding that Arsenal remains fully supportive of players’ commitments to their countries. Injuries and squad management were central to the discussion. Arteta addressed Noni Madueke’s recovery, clarifying that the midfielder’s injury was not as severe as initially feared. “It looked really bad, but it’s nowhere near that injury,” he said, noting Madueke would be out for only a few days.#arsenal #mikel_arteta #emirates_fa_cup #southampton #sobha_realty_training_centre
FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw Set for March 9 Arsenal confirmed their progression to the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup after a 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town in the fifth round. Goals from Noni Madueke and Ebere Eze secured the Gunners’ place in the last eight for the first time in six years. The club provided details about the upcoming quarter-final draw, including the date, potential opponents, and how fans can follow the event. The draw for the quarter-finals will take place at approximately 7:05 p.m. on Monday, March 9, as part of the pre-match coverage leading up to the fifth-round final between West Ham United and Brentford at the London Stadium. The draw is open, meaning Arsenal could face any of the remaining teams in the competition. The teams that have advanced include Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Leeds United, Southampton, and Port Vale. Arsenal will be ball number 5 in the draw. The other ball numbers assigned to the remaining teams are as follows: Southampton (ball 1), Manchester City (ball 3), Leeds United (ball 4), and either West Ham United or Brentford (ball 8). The exact matchups will be determined during the draw, with fixtures for the quarter-finals scheduled for the weekend of April 4 and 5, 2026. The draw will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, discovery+, and the TNT Sports YouTube channel. Darren Fletcher, Ally McCoist, and Joe Hart will host the event at the London Stadium. Once the opponents are announced, the specific fixtures will be finalized. Arsenal’s victory over Mansfield Town was highlighted as a key moment in their FA Cup campaign. The match saw a dramatic finish, with the Gunners overcoming a 1-0 deficit to advance. The club also provided a replay of the match for fans to watch.#arsenal #mansfield_town #west_ham_united #brentford #emirates_fa_cup
