Manchester United edged out Arsenal on penalties in dramatic fashion in the third round of the FA Cup at the Emirates stadium on Sunday.
Despite playing most parts of the game with 10 men following Diogo Dalot’s sending off, United went on to win 5-3 after 120 minutes ended 1-1.
United also knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup at the Emirates in 2019, recording a 3-1 win with former Gunners star Alexis Sanchez among the Red Devils scorers.
After Bruno Fernandes put United in the the lead Gabriel Magalhaes equalised as Arsenal went on to miss chances after chances.
Martin Odegaard had the opportunity to put Arsenal ahead but saw his penalty saved by Altay Bayandir.
The game was decided on penalties with United scoring all their five kicks while Kai Havertz saw his effort saved.
Gabriel Martinelli thought he had opened the scoring on 18 minutes but it was ruled out for offiside.
In the 24th minute Kobbie Mainoo tried a low shot just outside the box but David Raya got down well to stop the effort.
On 35 minutes Rasmus Hojlund raced to the Arsenal box but saw his left foot shot well saved by Raya.
Arsenal suffered another injury problem as Gabriel Jesus was stretchered off on 40 minutes and was replaced by Raheem Sterling.
Arsenal were awarded a free kick in a good area in stoppage time but Martin Odegaard blazed it over the bar.
After a strong start to the second half it was United who took the lead on 52 minutes as Fernandes finished off a brilliant counter.
Few minutes later Kai Havertz had a big chance to equalise for Arsenal but fired off target.
In the 62nd minute United were reduced to 10 men after Diogo Dalot was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Mikel Merino.
Gabriel Magalhaes equalised for Arsenal on 63 minutes, as his volley inside the box took a slight deflection off Mathijs De Ligt and ended inside the net.
Merino almost put Arsenal 2-1 ahead in the 66th minute but his goal bound strike hit a United defender and went out for a corner.
Arsenal were awarded a penalty for a foul on Havertz but Odegaard’s effort was saved on 72 minutes.
With 15 minutes left Declan Rice had a big chance to put Arsenal ahead but saw his header palmed over the bar for a corner by United keeper.
With three minutes left Havertz had a golden chance to win it for Arsenal but shot his effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
In the 92nd minute Jurrien Timber hit a low shot which went across for a goal kick.
A minute later Rice saw his low left foot strike palmed away for a corner.
Four minutes into extra-time De Ligt made a vital block to deny Rice .
Leandro Trossard almost put Arsenal ahead in the 10th minute of extra-time but De Ligt cleared the ball away.
First minute of second half extra-time Joshua Zirkzee saw his low strike palmed away by Raya.
With three minutes left Odegaard floated in a cross but Havertz could not direct his header towards goal.
In the shootout Zirkzee converted the final spot kick to send the holders into the next round.
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In een zenuwslopende wedstrijd in de vierde ronde van de FA Cup heeft Manchester United Arsenal uitgeschakeld na strafschoppen. De wedstrijd eindigde in een 2-2 gelijkspel na reguliere speeltijd en verlenging, waarna de beslissing moest vallen vanaf de strafschopstip.
De wedstrijd begon met veel intensiteit van beide kanten, met Arsenal dat al vroeg op voorsprong kwam dankzij een doelpunt van Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Manchester United liet zich echter niet uit het veld slaan en wist al snel gelijk te maken via Marcus Rashford. De rest van de wedstrijd was een gelijkopgaande strijd, waarbij beide teams kansen creëerden maar niet wisten te scoren.
In de verlenging leek Arsenal de overwinning binnen handbereik te hebben toen Alexandre Lacazette de 2-1 maakte, maar Manchester United gaf niet op en wist in de laatste minuut van de extra tijd gelijk te maken via Scott McTominay. Hierdoor moesten strafschoppen de beslissing brengen.
De strafschoppenserie was bloedstollend, met beide teams die hun eerste vier penalty’s wisten te benutten. Het was uiteindelijk Arsenal-speler Bernd Leno die de beslissende penalty miste, waardoor Manchester United met 5-4 aan het langste eind trok en doorstoot naar de volgende ronde van de FA Cup.
De overwinning was een grote opluchting voor Manchester United, dat dit seizoen wisselvallig presteert in de Premier League. Voor Arsenal was het een teleurstelling om op deze manier uitgeschakeld te worden, maar ze kunnen trots zijn op hun strijd en inzet tijdens de wedstrijd.
De FA Cup blijft een van de meest prestigieuze bekertoernooien in het Engelse voetbal, en deze spannende wedstrijd tussen Manchester United en Arsenal heeft dat nogmaals bevestigd. Fans kunnen nu al uitkijken naar de volgende ronde, waarin Manchester United zal strijden om een plek in de kwartfinales.
