Matt Le Tissier played role in Arsenal FA Cup demise

Southampton knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup in style and one of their legends had a helping hand.

Matt Le Tissier returned to the club in an advisory role this week, four years on from departing as a club ambassador.

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The Premier League icon stepped down after his social media activity, surrounding COVID-19 and the war between Russia and Ukraine, drew criticism.

Famed for his flair and outrageous goal catalogue, Le Tissier thrilled crowds at The Dell.

The 57-year-old scored the Saints’ last ever goal at their former home in a 2-0 victory over Arsenal.

And it appears he helped down them once again.

Le Tissier is expected to help in the club’s football department and it’s believed he will be involved with decision-making at St Mary’s too.

Speaking after the Championship side’s shock 2-1 win over the Premier League leaders, manager Tonda Eckert revealed the icon had been involved behind the scenes.

The club have been leaning into the 50th anniversary of their FA Cup win over Manchester United in 1976.

talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook asked about the significance of the past on their present run.

Eckert replied: “Yeah, I think you just feel that this FA Cup season is special.

“It’s a special one and you feel that when you talk to any of the ex-players, Matt [Le Tissier] was in yesterday to just give us some advice for the game that was very helpful and it’s a special FA Cup season for us.”

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What advice he gave isn’t known but the result will now go into folklore as Southampton head to the semi-finals for the first time since 2021.

They did so wearing a kit paying tribute to their legends of 1976, who beat the Red Devils 1-0 thanks to a goal from Bobby Stokes.

It saw them win their first major trophy, in yellow as opposed to their traditional red and white stripes.

They may now face a fight to wear their tribute kit again, though.

The Saints would need special permission to use it once more, as they have done in every round so far.

Clubs must wear a kit that was registered at the start of the season, this would be either their home, away, or third strip.

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Requests can be made to use a different one though, and The Athletic report the Football Association are understanding and open to allowing a change.

This would, though, depend on who they face in the last-four and any kit clashes that might arise.

So far, the yellow strip has been used in wins over Doncaster Rovers, Leicester City, Fulham, and now famously against Arsenal.