England’s oldest football competition has already produced its fair share of drama this season, and the remaining fixtures suggest that the excitement is far from over.

Among the standout ties is a heavyweight showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool. With several Premier League giants still in the competition, a blockbuster clash always seemed inevitable.

Unfortunately for City and Liverpool, they were the ones paired together. If their upcoming cup encounter delivers even a fraction of the drama seen in their recent league meeting, fans can expect a thrilling contest.

While some of their domestic rivals have already faced each other, Chelsea once again avoided Premier League opposition and will host Port Vale. The League One side earned their spot in the quarter-finals after producing one of the biggest upsets of the fifth round, defeating Sunderland. Despite the historic achievement, manager Jon Brady admitted the schedule could be challenging.

“It’s a bit of a pain in the bum, to be honest!” he said after guiding the third-tier club to their first FA Cup quarter-final appearance in 72 years. “It’s a privilege, but it’s tough as well.”

Elsewhere, Arsenal will travel to face Southampton. The last time the Gunners reached the FA Cup quarter-final stage, they went on to lift the trophy, and Mikel Arteta will be hoping history repeats itself. The Arsenal boss has yet to add another major trophy in the six years since that triumph, but his team is still competing across four competitions this season.

Manchester City, meanwhile, remain in pursuit of a potential quadruple and appear to be finding their rhythm at the right moment. Unlike Arsenal and Chelsea, who have largely avoided top-flight opposition, City have had a tougher path. They recently came from behind to secure a 3–1 victory over Newcastle United, and their quarter-final clash with Liverpool promises another stern test.

For Liverpool, reaching this stage was no easy task either. The Reds had to overcome Wolverhampton Wanderers, a fixture made even more intense after Wolves had beaten them at the same stadium just three nights earlier. That result added extra motivation for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and another dramatic encounter could be on the cards when they meet City again.

Elsewhere, Leeds United have been upbeat about their chances as they chase a first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 2003. The Yorkshire club will face either West Ham United or Brentford, depending on the outcome of their Monday night clash.

2025–26 FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw

• Southampton vs Arsenal
• Chelsea vs Port Vale
• Manchester City vs Liverpool
• West Ham United or Brentford vs Leeds United

With several big names still in the competition and a few potential giant-killing stories brewing, the FA Cup’s magic looks set to continue as the tournament edges closer to Wembley.

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Kai Havertz equalled Robin van Persie’s record by scoring in his seventh consecutive game at the Emirates, as Arsenal secured a 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton.

The win helped the Gunners maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season and moved them within one point of league leaders Liverpool, who edged out Crystal Palace 1-0 earlier in the day.

Despite being heavy favourites, Arsenal found themselves frustrated in the first half, unable to break down Southampton’s defence and only registering their first shot on target in stoppage time. The Saints shocked the home crowd when Cameron Archer scored in the 55th minute after a swift counterattack, following Raheem Sterling’s loss of possession.

The goal seemed to ignite Arsenal’s response, as Havertz equalized just three minutes later from a Bukayo Saka assist. Ten minutes after levelling the game, Arsenal took the lead when Saka delivered another assist, this time lofting a precise pass over the defence for substitute Gabriel Martinelli, who finished coolly.

Southampton nearly equalized with a corner that hit the crossbar, but Arsenal sealed the win when Saka scored in the 88th minute, capping off a brilliant individual performance with a third goal.

This victory kept Arsenal firmly in the title race, showcasing their resilience in tough situations while continuing Havertz’s goal-scoring streak at the Emirates.

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The 19-year-old signs a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the original deal worth £53 million plus an additional $5 million.

Following Liverpool’s unsuccessful attempts to sign both Lavia and Caicdeo this summer, Chelsea’s first-choice midfield this season will likely consist of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Lavia, a group that Chelsea supporters have already dubbed the “LFC midfield.”

On completing his move to Chelsea, Lavia said: “I’m really happy join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project. It’s an amazing football club with a great history and I’m really excited to get started.

“I can’t wait to meet all my new team-mates and build a chemistry together to achieve great things together.”

Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley added: “We are very pleased to welcome Romeo to Chelsea. He demonstrated his quality in the Premier League last season at Southampton, showing maturity despite his young age, and is a player we have monitored for some time.

“We believe he is ready to make an impact at Chelsea throughout the current campaign, and in the coming years.”

He broke into Belgium’s first-team setup but was unable to help the Saints stave off relegation. He did not play a minute for them in the Championship ahead of his exit from St Mary’s.

When Chelsea visits London rivals West Ham United on Sunday, Lavia might make his debut.

Welcome to Chelsea, Romeo Lavia! 😁

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2023

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Romeo Lavia has bid farewell to Southampton fans on social media as he prepares for a move to Chelsea. This summer, there have been widespread rumours linking the 19-year-old midfielder with a transfer to Stamford Bridge, as Mauricio Pochettino seeks to bolster his midfield options.

In a heartfelt open letter posted on Instagram, Lavia expressed his gratitude: “To Saints Fans, as I say my goodbyes, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for everything you’ve given me during my time here.

“I’ve felt your love from day one, even though we didn’t achieve all our shared goals. I will never forget the belief the club and Saints supporters worldwide had in me, and I hope I was able to repay the trust you placed in me.

“I want to offer a special thanks to all my teammates and every staff member at the club, whether they were closely involved or not. From the day I arrived at Staplewood Campus, your support, daily efforts, and the help behind the scenes have made me a better person, athlete, and football player.

“You have all played a significant role in making my transition into professional football smoother. I will forever be grateful to all of you. That’s why this club will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I wish the club the best of luck this season, and I eagerly anticipate seeing Southampton return to the Premier League where it rightfully belongs very soon! Thank you, Saints. Roméo.”

 

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A post shared by Romeo Lavia (@lavizzy6)

Reports suggest that Chelsea and Southampton have reached an agreement for the transfer of Lavia for a fee of £58 million.

This move comes after Southampton had previously accepted a higher offer from Liverpool for the talented young midfielder. However, Lavia, who is a former Brighton player, expressed his strong desire to join Chelsea, prompting Liverpool to shift their attention elsewhere. Following careful consideration, the Belgian international informed Liverpool on Monday afternoon that he also favored a transfer to Stamford Bridge.

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The last team Walcott played for was his old club Southampton, although he was let go at the end of the previous campaign. Before joining Arsenal and receiving a surprise call-up to England’s 2006 World Cup within two months of turning 17, he had gained prominence with the Saints when he was just 16 years old.

Despite not having yet made his professional Arsenal debut, Walcott went on to play just under 400 games for the club during a 12-year span, scoring 108 goals and winning two FA Cups.

The attacker joined Everton for more than £20 million in January 2018 after his Arsenal career began to wane. The deal was then made permanent the following year after a 2020 loan to Southampton.

Walcott finally won 47 senior England caps after going uncapped in 2006, which added to the controversy surrounding his questionable selection.

He also registered eight goals, including three against Croatia in September 2008, becoming him the Three Lions’ youngest-ever hat-trick player.

Walcott was injured in 2014 and was unable to compete in the World Cup in 2010. He was chosen for Euro 2012 but not Euro 2016, and his lack of club form caused his international career to end forever that year.

“I’m officially going to be hanging up my boots. It’s very scary, I can’t lie,” Walcott said to former England teammate Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast.

“It’s scary because football’s all I’ve known from the age of 16 or even younger. I want to try new things I never experienced as a kid – I missed out on a lot. I just feel like I want to experience life – things [usually] revolve around football for me.

“I’ve had offers abroad and from some very good Championship teams. There’s been some Saudi offers but it’s not where I see myself playing, to be honest. Nothing against the money or the league but if my heart isn’t into playing football it’s not fair on the clubs, not fair on me.”

Walcott also posted a lengthy video from The Overlap on social media.

“The first moment I put my football boots on aged ten was a special journey for me. From playing in the park with friends to performing in some of the biggest stadiums in front of huge crowds across the world,” he said.

“The support shown to me throughout this time has been incredible and in every way imaginable I am truly grateful. I shared the football pitch with so many incredible players and we have created so many unforgettable memories.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to all the managers and coaches that I’ve worked with, especially Harry [Redknapp] for giving me a start and Arsene [Wenger] for showing the belief and supporting me when I joined the club at only 16 years old. Over 18 fantastic years in the Premier League, there are so many moments I will cherish.

“The early days at Southampton Football Club, my transfer to Arsenal where I spent 12 enjoyable years and scored over 100 goals, winning the FA Cup and scoring in the final which is every kid’s dream. To have had the opportunity to represent England 47 times and to go to the World Cup in 2006 aged just 17 and still to hold the record for the youngest-ever debut by a senior England player and the youngest hat-trick goalscorer at 19 – I will never forget that feeling.

“I’m lucky enough to have had offers to continue playing but it feels right to finish where I started and hang up my football boots. Thank you to everyone who has been with me along the way.”

 

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The midfielder James Ward-Prowse of Southampton has been officially signed by West Ham United. The set-piece expert joins Edson Alvarez from Ajax as the second summer signing for the Hammers.

The 28-year-old has signed a four-year contract with London Stadium to terminate the connection that began with Southampton in 2003. He joined David Moyes’ team when Southampton was demoted to the Championship.

“I’m buzzing to be here at West Ham United. It’s great to be here and I’m looking forward to getting going,” Ward-Prowse told the club’s official website.

“From the outside looking in, this is a Club that has been on the rise for a number of years now and coming off the success in the UEFA Europa Conference League last year, you can feel there is real momentum around this Club. It’s great to be a part of it and I can’t wait to play my role in the games to come.

“When I think about my game, it is based on hard work, graft, and giving 100%. West Ham United has always been a Club that has epitomises that. You can feel that from the fans and you can see it in the players who are here and the lads that have come through the Academy too.

“I feel as though I will fit straight in and I can promise I will give my all for this football club in my time here.”

Introducing our new 7-Iron ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/ZIfCuifU0v

— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 14, 2023

Manager David Moyes welcomed the England international and is looking forward to introducing an experienced player with a proven Premier League pedigree to his squad. “I’m delighted to bring a player of James’ quality and experience to West Ham United,” he said.

“He’s performed to a very high level in the Premier League over the last decade, constantly producing good numbers season after season. His leadership qualities are obviously another huge plus for us – he’ll be a big voice for us, someone who drives the team on from the middle of the pitch.

“We’re excited to get him up and running, for what will be another busy season on both the domestic and European front,” Moyes added. Ward-Prowse’s move to West Ham for a fee of £30million is expected to be followed by further signings.

Gianluca Scamacca left West Ham for Atalanta in a £26 million deal, and Ward-Prowse will take his place in the number 7 shirt. Although the transfer fee was not stated, we understand that it was around £30 million.

We are delighted to announce the signing of England international James Ward-Prowse 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 14, 2023

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After selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for a British transfer record of £105 million, the Hammers have been frantically trying to bolster their team.

Things have been slow-moving for West Ham, amid internal conflicts between manager David Moyes and new technical director Tim Steidten, but progress has been made over the past 48 hours on a number of targets.

In preparation for his £34 million transfer from Ajax, Edson Alvarez underwent a medical in London. West Ham also agreed to a £30 million fee for former Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, who is now expected to discuss personal details of a move to the East End.

And sources have revealed to mp3bullet that West Ham and Southampton have reached an agreement on a deal for £30 million for Ward-Prowse with a sell-on clause after extensive negotiations. This comes after United rejected a proposal for Scott McTominay for the same sum.

With Southampton demanding more money for the 28-year-old central midfielder, it had appeared as though West Ham’s offer for him would fail. However, agreements have finally been agreed upon between the two parties ahead of the Premier League season’s opening weekend. If his medical exam goes well, it’s anticipated that he will sign a four-year contract.

Ward-Prowse has been at Southampton for the entirety of his career, making 422 appearances on the south coast and scoring 55 goals.

In that time, he has also given 55 assists, and David Beckham has been compared to him because of his impeccable free-kick accuracy.

In order to improve in the wide attacking areas and with a striker, West Ham hopes to finalize agreements for six players before the summer transfer window shuts.

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Tino Livramento is about to join Newcastle United after Southampton accepted an offer that was close to £40 million ($50.6 million).

The two teams started talking in June, but since his previous club, Chelsea, is entitled to a sizeable sell-on price in any transactions, Southampton must offer a sizable sum to assure a sizable return for themselves. This has hampered negotiations.

On Friday, Southampton will travel to face recently promoted Sheffield Wednesday to open their 2023–24 season. Given the circumstances surrounding his probable move, Livramento’s participation in that game is in question.

Livramento is a highly regarded player, but he only made two appearances for Southampton last season since he was out for the duration of the year with an ACL injury he suffered in April 2022.

The 20-year-old did make a comeback to the field in May and has played for Southampton during the preseason in preparation for their relegation to the Championship.

Livramento progressed through Chelsea’s youth before signing a five-year contract with Southampton in August 2021.

Should his move to St James’ Park be confirmed, the England Under-21 international will face off against Kieran Trippier for the right-back position.

Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, and Yankubah Minteh have joined Eddie Howe’s team for combined amounts of at least £98 million, indicating Newcastle has been active thus far in the summer transfer window.

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Ruben Selles will step down as head coach of Southampton when his contract ends at the end of the current campaign, the club has confirmed.

When Nathan Jones was fired by the Saints in February, the Spaniard was given his first senior managerial position with the team. He started off as caretaker manager with a 1-0 victory away at Chelsea.

Southampton was demoted to the Championship, ending its 10-year stint in the top division, despite playing well against some of the Premier League’s hardest opponents, notably a 3-3 draw against then-table-toppers Arsenal.

Before leaving, Selles will take command of Southampton’s last regular-season game against Liverpool at home.

In a statement, Southampton said: “Southampton Football Club can confirm that it has held conversations with Men’s First Team Manager, Ruben Selles, and decided that his contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season.

“The club wants to place on record its thanks to Ruben for taking on the managerial position at a difficult time for the club and for giving his all as we attempted to stay in the Premier League.

“Ruben will take charge of the team for the final game against Liverpool on Sunday at St Mary’s. We wish him all the best for his future career.”

pic.twitter.com/8Jpbkuuahl

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 24, 2023

According to reports Russell Martin of Swansea City was the leading contender to take the job at Southampton, and sources have confirmed he is likely to make the move to St Mary’s ahead of the 2023/24 season.

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag expects teenage talent Alejandro Garnacho to return to action before the conclusion of the season.

In the closing moments of Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Southampton, Garnacho, who has recently established himself as a first-team regular, was forced off the field.

The young Argentine was subsequently spotted leaving Old Trafford wearing a protective boot and walking on crutches, his injury the result of an incident in a tackle.

“It will take weeks, it is a serious injury. Once again, after Christian Eriksen, we have a serious injury after a contact,” Ten Hag said on Wednesday evening.

“It is difficult to make a diagnosis quickly. I saw him limping and that is why I took him off.

“He will be back before the end of the season. We need to get him back as soon as possible and we hope he is ready.”

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Garnacho expressed his regret at being forced to miss forthcoming United matches and leave the Argentina team for this month’s domestic friendly against Panama and Curacao, when he may have made his senior international debut.

“It is difficult to put into words how I’m feeling right now,” he posted on Instagram on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately I will not be able to help my team and team mates in the upcoming games in what is a very important part of the season for us at Manchester United.

“I am disappointed to also miss the opportunity to be with my team mates of the Argentinian National Team in what would have been a great and proud moment for me and my family.

“This is part of football and our profession, however, I am already focused in my recovery. God has taught me to never give up and I will make sure I am back stronger than ever!”

 

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After getting injured against Southampton, Alejandro Garnacho is questionable for Thursday’s match between Manchester United and Real Betis.

Even though the Argentine winger had only been on the field for 15 minutes, a challenge with Kyle Walker-Peters in the closing ten minutes of Sunday’s scoreless draw forced him out in stoppage time.

After being seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches and Erik ten Hag admitting that Garnacho had sustained an injury, worries about his condition increased.

The 18-year-old was eventually partially replaced by Fred to strengthen United’s defence late in the contest when Southampton’s towering attacker Paul Onuachu came off the bench.

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Garnacho’s injury was regarded as “not too bad” by Ten Hag, who said that the substitute was also made for tactical reasons because he also added Harry Maguire to secure the point.

“He was limping a little bit after a bad tackle,” confirmed the manager.

“So in the end I thought they bring on another striker, a tall one, I don’t want to go for a risk, we were already down to 10, to go to maybe 90 per cent, that’s why I took him off but I think it’s not too bad.”

Ahead of the international break, United hosts Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday after playing Betis in the previous week.

The inclusion of Garnacho in the world champions’ roster may potentially put his participation in Argentina’s games against Panama and Curacao in jeopardy.

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained how Wout Weghorst’s level of fitness has allowed him to establish himself as a constant in his starting lineup.

The United manager acknowledged that Weghorst has played so much because of Anthony Martial’s injury problems, but he also praised the physical qualities of the Dutch striker when he snapped his goalless streak in the 4-1 Europa League victory against Real Betis.

“He’s physically capable of playing a lot of games, he’s a very fit player, he recovers very good,” Ten Hag told a press conference. “I expect that he’d play a lot but obviously we have an injury to Anthony Martial so that’s the main reason he’s playing every game from start to almost finish.”

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As Cristiano Ronaldo abruptly left the team in January, Weghorst was brought in as a temporary offensive replacement. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old has ended up starting 15 straight games. His close-range strike against Betis was just his second goal for United, and it came after he had earlier missed a few great chances.

Ten Hag hailed Weghorst’s persistence and his ability to read the game.

“As you can see he is often in the right position and he fails but he keeps going and so he showed great personality and character,” added the United manager. “In this game, he could already have had his goal earlier on. He keeps focused, he keeps working, he keeps putting himself in the right position and finally he got his goal and his reward.”

Weghorst and his teammates have little time to rest before Sunday’s Premier League match against struggling Southampton.

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