\n<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta has refused to criticise Arsenal following the club\u2019s shock FA Cup exit at Southampton.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arsenal\u2019s treble hopes came to an end after a 2-1 defeat to the Championship side at St Mary\u2019s. Shea Charles\u2019 85th-minute winner secured an upset for Southampton who will head to Wembley for the semi-finals.<\/p>\n Viktor Gyokeres had cancelled out Ross Stewart\u2019s opener for the Saints as Arsenal levelled the tie, but Charles\u2019 smart finished stunned the Gunners.<\/p>\n The defeat follows Arsenal\u2019s loss in the League Cup final, with the North London side\u2019s pursuit of four trophies rapidly turned to two.<\/p>\n Despite that, Arteta said he will not criticise his team but called on Arsenal to \u2018look at ourselves in the mirror\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cI love my players, what they have done for nine months. I\u2019m not going to criticise them for losing here. What they are putting their bodies through, some didn\u2019t have to be here today. I\u2019ll defend them more than ever.<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone has to take responsibility that\u2019s 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\u2019s stand up and make ourselves count.<\/p>\n \u201cNo excuses about players that are missing or that are here with issues. Let\u2019s look at ourselves in the mirror, accept the situation, rebel against it and go forward with clarity.\u201d<\/p>\n Read \u2013\u00a0Marc Guehi transfer collapse continues to haunt sorry Liverpool<\/strong><\/p>\n See more \u2013\u00a0Cole claims FA Cup win would \u2018settle down\u2019 Chelsea project<\/strong><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | Twitter<\/a> | YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n