FA Cup: 10-Man Manchester United Triumph Over Arsenal in Penalty Shootout

Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning penalty in a dramatic shootout as 10-man Manchester United triumphed over Arsenal to secure their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The thrilling encounter saw United withstand intense pressure after being reduced to 10 players for nearly an hour, following a red card for Diogo Dalot.

The match began with both teams playing cautiously, but United broke the deadlock early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Alejandro Garnacho capitalized on a rare slip by Arsenal’s Gabriel. Garnacho pounced on the loose ball and delivered a precise cross into the path of Bruno Fernandes, who expertly curled the ball into the top corner of the net to give United a 1-0 lead. It was a brilliant piece of play, and United appeared to be in control.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically just minutes later. In the 61st minute, Dalot was shown a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, and he was sent off, leaving United to play the remaining 30 minutes with a man down. The numerical disadvantage immediately put the pressure on the visitors, and Arsenal responded swiftly.

Just two minutes after Dalot’s dismissal, Arsenal found the equalizer. A corner was swung into the area, and center-back Gabriel was in the right place at the right time. He volleyed the ball past United’s goalkeeper Altay Bayindir to level the score at 1-1. With the game now tied, Arsenal seized the opportunity to push for a second goal.

Arsenal were handed a significant chance to take the lead in the 72nd minute when Harry Maguire was adjudged to have fouled Kai Havertz inside the penalty area. The referee, Andrew Madley, pointed to the spot, and Arsenal had a penalty to potentially put them ahead. However, the situation quickly became chaotic. A brief melee in the penalty area saw Maguire, Havertz, and Gabriel all receive yellow cards. Despite the tension, Arsenal’s captain Martin Ødegaard stepped up to take the penalty.

In a moment that shifted the momentum once again, Bayindir became the hero. The United goalkeeper dived to his left, getting a strong hand on the ball to push it away and deny Ødegaard from the spot. The missed penalty was a huge blow for Arsenal, who had a chance to capitalize on their advantage but failed to take it.

Despite the penalty miss, Arsenal kept pushing. Havertz, in particular, had several more opportunities to score, as did Declan Rice, but Bayindir’s performance in goal was outstanding. The Turkish goalkeeper made several crucial saves, preventing Arsenal from finding the back of the net during regular time and extra time.

As the match moved into extra time, the numerical advantage Arsenal had hoped to exploit did not yield the expected results. Manchester United’s defense remained resolute, and the team dug deep to prevent Arsenal from taking the lead. The Gunners’ frustration mounted, and they were unable to break through the United defense.

The game ultimately went to a penalty shootout, where both teams had their chances to secure the win. In the shootout, Havertz had his penalty saved by Bayindir, who was proving to be a match-winner for United. Zirkzee, who had been introduced as a substitute earlier in the match, calmly stepped up to take the decisive penalty. He sent Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way, scoring the winner and sending Manchester United through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

This victory is significant for United, who overcame adversity to win against a strong Arsenal side. The result also marks another early exit for Arsenal in the FA Cup, as this is the third time in the last four seasons that they have been eliminated in the third round. For Manchester United, the win demonstrates their resilience and ability to fight through difficult circumstances, while Arsenal will be left to reflect on missed opportunities and their inability to capitalize on their numerical advantage.