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Arsenal fans are in open conflict following a shock FA Cup exit to Championship side Southampton FC, with manager Mikel Arteta facing mounting criticism.

The 2-1 defeat has not only ended Arsenal’s cup run but also triggered anger, blame, ridicule and fears of a total season collapse, especially after back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

Turning point in the game

The match unraveled in a dramatic second half:

• 68th minute: Gabriel Magalhães and Kai Havertz combined in a move that led to an equaliser
• 79th minute: Both players were substituted off, leaving fans stunned
• 85th minute: Southampton scored the winner

Many supporters believe those changes cost Arsenal control of the game.

Fans blame Arteta

One fan, Princess Ola, said: “Mikel Arteta, thank you for today. This one is on you. The moment I saw the lineup, I knew we were in trouble.”

She added: “Players are not fit but still kept on the pitch. Then the ones helping, you take them off.”

Another supporter, Felix Kay, wrote: “It’s so painful and embarrassing how we are bottling everything after starting so strong. This loss in FA and Carabao is Arteta’s fault.”

Fans also pointed to Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli as players who struggled but stayed on too long.

From frustration to ridicule

Some fans turned to sarcasm as frustration boiled over.

Ki Thumu joked: “Even failure looks at Arsenal and feels successful.”

Webster summed it up in a viral line: “From quadruple to treble, from treble to double, from double to trouble.”

For others, the defeat signals something deeper.

Freddy said: “That’s how Arsenal lost the season… the same poor performance we saw against Manchester City.”

Allan added: “We’ve reached the stage where the season collapses in two weeks… the cursed Arsenal cycle continues.”

Patrick offered a blunt verdict: “Shortly, attention will turn to next season. The problem is fans are more serious than the team.”

Fears of total collapse

Mex warned the consequences could be severe: “If Arsenal end the season without a trophy, it will be a disaster.”

He pointed to past seasons where Arsenal exited competitions one by one before falling short entirely.

A shock FA Cup defeat has now spiralled into anger, division and growing belief that Arsenal’s season is slipping away.

For many fans, this is no longer just a bad result--it feels like the start of another familiar collapse.