Southampton are through to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup after a well deserved 2-0 win over an underwhelming Arsenal side.
First-half goals from Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand gave the visitors a surprise two goal cushion and although the hosts improved after the break, they were unable to mount a serious comeback as their 19 match unbeaten run finally came to an end.
Both teams made wholesale changes to their starting lineups. The Gunners welcomed back Lucas Perez from injury as they looked to rest players ahead of a busy December schedule.
Southampton's young prospect Josh Sims was moved to the bench despite his impressive performance against Everton, whilst fellow academy graduate Sam McQueen was brought into the team and made only his fourth appearance for the club.
It was a fairly quiet opening to the match butthe visitors burst into life and took the lead after a good spell of possession. A blocked shot in the Arsenal penalty area fell to the feet of Clasie, who lashed a viscous drive past Emiliano Martinez in the Gunners' goal, giving Claude Puel's team an early advantage.
GOAL: #Arsenal 0-1 #SaintsFC (@JordyClasie 13)
Clasie fires home his first goal for the club after Sofiane Boufal's shot was blocked!
The hosts responded with a spell of possession of their own,but were unable to create any real openings; Jeff Reine-Adelaide's blocked shot wasthe closest they came to scoringin the opening half an hour.
With Arsenal struggling for any fluency, they were caught napping in possession and fell even further behind in the 37th minute.
Carl Jenkinson was robbed of possession in his own half, and as the moved developed, Sofiane Boufal'scut back fell to Bertrand on the edge of the area.
The left back's tight control allowed him to get a shot away, which crept into the bottom right hand corner to give the away side a comfortable two goalcushion.
Buoyed by their lead, Saints continued to pass the ball around with zest and looked threatening on the counter, as the home side failed to force a single shot on target before half-time.
They finally tested Fraser Forster early in the second period through Aaron Ramsey, although his tameshot was straight at the Southampton goalkeeper.
With the Gunners committing men forward, they were nearly caught out at the backwhen Shane Long's run and shot had to be tipped round the post by Martinez.
The game was ebbing and flowing much better than it had in the first-half, but whilst Arsenal were finally testing Fraser Forster, they still couldn't find a way through.
Granit Xhaka's long range effort was well held bythe Englishman, before Lucas Perez's effort was deflected over the bar.
Both managers made substitutions in a bid to keep their teams fresh and although the hosts were pushing for a way back into the game, Long remained a thorn in the Gunners' side as he went close again, shooting just wide when running through on goal.
With full time looming, substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wasted what was arguably Arsenal's best chance of the evening, when he blazed the ball over the bar having found space inside the visitor's penalty area.
What a chance
Xhaka finds @Alex_OxChambo in the area - but the Ox shoots over#AFCvSFC ï”´0-2âš« (79) pic.twitter.com/UugnekCOKz
Southampton's solid shape helped them maintain their two goal advantage and in truth could well have added to their lead in the final moments, when Josh Simms andPierre-Emile Højbjergsaw their shots well saved.
As it was, the full-time whistle blew and confirmed Southampton's progress through to the semi-finals, where they will face Liverpool. Puel's men were well-worthy of their 2-0 win and will have left Arsene Wenger ruinghis decision to make 10 changes to his team.
FULL TIME: #Arsenal 0-2 #SaintsFC
They've done it! Claude Puel's side are into the semi-finals of the #EFLCup!  pic.twitter.com/0C8qqgCYEu
The wait is over - here's your Arsenal team for #AFCvSFC pic.twitter.com/688bw5L5yC
The teams are in!
Here's how #SaintsFC will line-up for their #EFLCup quarter-final tie away to #Arsenal: pic.twitter.com/abcbkE01j7