Ten-man Manchester United knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on penalties after holding their nerve to reach the fourth round. United were down to 10 for over an hour but wasted chances cost Arsenal, as Kai Havertz missed in the shoot-out.
After a subdued first half, Bruno Fernandes sparked the tie into life with a brilliant first-time finish on the counter-attack, but United’s advantage was short lived as Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second yellow card.
Dalot’s error was punished by an immediate Arsenal equaliser when Gabriel slammed in, but the Gunners then missed the chance to take the lead as Martin Odegaard saw a penalty saved by goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
There was a touch of justice about the save, as Kai Havertz appeared to make the most of minimal contact in the box, and there was a chaotic melee between the players which resulted in several yellow cards.
From there, Arsenal missed several chances to win in normal time, with Bayindir making key saves and Havertz spurning a glorious opportunity from close range Matthijs de Ligt then made a spectacular clearance in the first half of extra time.
Joshua Zirkzee could have nicked it when his deflected shot was pushed onto the post by David Raya, but in the penalty shoot-out Bayindir saved another spot-kick, this time from Havertz, as the holders advanced to reach the fourth round draw.
It was Zirkzee who converted the fifth perfect penalty for Ruben Amorim’s side, with Fernandes, Amad Diallo, leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez all converting before him. Re-live all of the action from the Emirates Stadium in our live blog below:
Arsenal players appear dejected after defeat to Man Utd in FA Cup third round
Man Utd players and fans celebrate penalty shoot-out victory at Arsenal
Key area of pitch in Arsenal vs Man Utd
Arsenal had 50 percent of their attacks down the right side, too, while United had 57 percent of their attacks down the left, highlighting the key area of the game.
Initially through Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Raheem Sterling, that trio lined up on paper against a United side that helped left wing-back Tyrell Malacia when they regained possession.
Arsenal lack finishing touch against Man Utd
Arsenal had 26 shots in the game and 55 touches in the opposition box.
It leaves Mikel Arteta’s men with a three percent conversion rate.
But only one goal tells the story of their recent struggles.
Ruben Amorim hails Joshua Zirkzee and maintains his ‘life can change’ in a week
Ruben Amorim on Joshua Zirkzee: “It’s really important not just for them but all the players.
“Your life as a player has cycles, and moments, and sometimes in one week your life can change.”
Arsenal fan Piers Morgan maintains Gunners have ‘zero chance of winning any big trophies’ with Kai Havertz as striker
Arsenal fan Piers Morgan has reacted furiously to his team’s defeat to Manchester United, labelling the performance as “pathetic”.
He adds: “How can you lose at home to a team that has 10 men for that long? So long as Havertz is our main striker, we have zero chance of winning any big trophies.
“He was abysmal today. If Arteta doesn’t buy big this window, incl a top striker. our season is over.”
Mikel Arteta bemoans Arsenal defeat despite ‘dominance’ against Man Utd
“Incredible you don’t win a game, to sum up,” Mikel Arteta says on the game.
“The dominance, the superiority in possession, we did everything to win the game.”
While the Spanish coach refused to blame Kai Havertz’s profligacy in front of goal: “We miss from various ways… I understand guys, but I couldn’t love our players more.”
Joshua Zirkzee’s redemption arc complete as Manchester United understudies take centre stage
Once again, Joshua Zirkzee had the Manchester United fans cheering. It was his substitution they celebrated 13 days earlier against Newcastle, the Dutchman suddenly the scapegoat for a dozen years of underachievement and hundreds of millions wasted in transfer-market mistakes. But it was Zirkzee who slotted in the spot kick that eliminated Arsenal from the FA Cup, the substitute who decided a shootout. It has been an eventful fortnight for the striker; first humiliated, now feted. “Life has these beautiful things,” said Ruben Amorim.
Man Utd post on X sparks controversy
Manchester United’s official X account reacted to victory over Arsenal with one word: “Justice.”
That hints at the decision to award Arsenal a penalty are Kai Havertz was adjudged to have been fouled.
Mikel Arteta was asked about it, but refused to comment: “I comment about my team and my players.”
Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Jesus injury update
“It’s a big worry,” Mikel Arteta says on Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
“Thats my feeling. He had to come off with a stretcher. The impact, the feeling that he had.”
Source: independent.co.uk
