Arsenal handed immediate silver lining following FA Cup defeat by Southampton

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Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup on Saturday night at St Mary's when they were beaten 2-1 by Southampton

Arsenal have been handed an immediate silver lining following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton.

The Gunners have now lost two consecutive matches and their Quadruple and Treble dreams have swiftly evaporated after also suffering defeat in the Carabao Cup final prior to the international break.

However, following the conclusion of the FA Cup semi-final, Arsenal have now discovered that they would have squared off with Manchester City at Wembley in the semi-finals had they successfully battled past Southampton.

It would have meant Arsenal would have faced City two weeks in a row as they also travel to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on April 19.

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The FA Cup semi-finals take place the following weekend on April 25 and Pep Guardiola's men are now heavy favourites to win the trophy following their 4-0 demolition of Liverpool.

City do not have any Champions League commitments while Arsenal host Sporting CP in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final just a matter of days before travelling to the Etihad.

You can't help but feel City would have tried to utilise the FA Cup semi-finals as a chance to inflict more mental pressure upon their fellow title rivals.

Mikel Arteta is determined to ensure Arsenal's recent defeats do not have a lasting damaging impact upon their season in other competitions.

He said following the 2-1 loss at St Mary's: "I love my players. What they have done for nine months. I'm not going to criticise them because we lost a game here in the manner that they tried.

"And the way they are putting their bodies through everything. Some of them probably didn't even have to be here. I'm not going to do that. I'm going to defend them more than ever.

"Someone has to take responsibility. That's me and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us.

"In the season, you always have moments. Normally two or three. This is the first moment that we have. So stand up, make yourself comfortable and deliver like we've been doing all season."

Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Lisbon to face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.