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.
Source: The Independent