Lineker criticises Arsenal’s withdrawal of players amid FA Cup exit
Gary Lineker has described Arsenal’s decision to withdraw 11 players from international duty as a “signal of panic” following their unexpected FA Cup quarter-final exit against Southampton, reports BritPanorama.
The former Tottenham and Barcelona forward made these remarks on The Rest Is Football podcast after the Gunners faced a 2-1 defeat to the Championship team on Saturday evening. He remarked, “It’s obviously easier in hindsight after they’ve lost, but I thought there was a slight signal of panic at Arsenal after the City game when they withdrew so many players.”
Lineker highlighted that most players who pulled out of international fixtures were fit enough to start against Southampton, suggesting the withdrawal may reflect anxiety rather than composure. The defeat at St Mary’s was marked by a dramatic late winner from Shea Charles, who found the net just five minutes from the final whistle.
This loss represented Arsenal’s second consecutive defeat across all competitions, coming just after their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City prior to the international break. These back-to-back setbacks have effectively dashed the club’s hopes of achieving an unprecedented quadruple this season.
Among those who withdrew from international fixtures were Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Odegaard, both of whom recovered in time to start against Southampton. This situation underscores a growing concern that pressure might be influencing Mikel Arteta’s squad as they seek their first silverware in six years.
Alan Shearer, meanwhile, took a different view, expressing understanding for the players’ decisions to skip international matches. He suggested that Arsenal remains in contention for both the Premier League and Champions League, noting the club’s ambition as they chase history. Shearer also acknowledged genuine injury concerns, pointing out that players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were unavailable for selection against Southampton.
However, he identified an issue with the team’s performance: “Southampton wanted it more than Arsenal did, and that would be a worrying sign for me.” Lineker agreed that Arsenal, despite recent difficulties, has yet to enter a full-blown crisis. “People are asking if they’re panicking or if it’s a crisis, it’s definitely a little wobble,” he said, while expressing concern for Gabriel, who left the match with ice on his knee and could be a significant loss if injured.
Despite these recent challenges, Lineker remains optimistic about Arsenal’s title chances, highlighting their nine-point lead over City and advancement to the Champions League quarter-finals. He concluded, “I’m pretty confident they will win the league,” noting that claiming the FA Cup would represent “an enormous bonus.”
This week’s events remind us how swiftly fortunes can shift in football — from lofty ambitions to questions of composure and resolve in a matter of matches. The stakes are high, and the pressure is mounting; how Arsenal responds in the coming weeks will be crucial not just for their title hopes but also for their confidence moving forward.
