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Arsenal's dream FA Cup run helps keep Mikel Arteta's quadruple dream on track
Mar 09 2026 23:10 · By Daniel Marsh/Senior Sports Reporter · 5 Reads
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Port Vale were the big story heading into Monday night's FA Cup quarter-final draw , and they were rewarded for their impressive giant-killing act against Sunderland with a trip to Chelsea .
But it was Mikel Arteta and Arsenal who were the big winners in the draw, avoiding the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City - who will play each other - and landing a plum away tie at Southampton .
The Gunners are still fighting on all four fronts and have a chance to land the first trophy of the season when they meet Pep Guardiola 's side at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final later this month.
And they look a pretty good bet to finally end their 20-plus year wait for a domestic title given they hold a healthy advantage at the Premier League summit.
So could they actually go and win the quadruple this year? As ambitious as that may seem, the FA Cup has been very kind to them - both this year and historically.
No team has won the world's most famous knockout competition more times than Arsenal, who are 14-time FA Cup kings. A trip to Southampton, just outside the Championship play-off places, will hold no fear for Arteta's charges.
A win against the Saints would put them in the semi-finals and, of course, back at Wembley. In truth, their potential route to the national stadium could hardly have been any better if Arteta been given the opportunity to plot it himself.
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They have yet to face a Premier League side, beating Portsmouth in the third round before then hammering Wigan Athletic of League One.
Mansfield Town gave the Gunners a scare at the weekend but they, too, were third-tier opposition.
With Port Vale and Southampton the only teams outside the top-flight left standing in the cup, Arsenal's kind run will surely end. But at the semi-final stage, it's anybody's game anyway. And by then, Arsenal could already be well on their way to history.
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