By Korede James
Holders Manchester United edged out Arsenal on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup at the Emirates stadium on Sunday.
Despite playing most of the game with 10 men following Diogo Dalot’s sending off, United went on to win the shootout 5-3 after 120 minutes of regulation time and extra-time 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.
Sunday’s match brought back memories of the 1999 semi-final clash where United, down to 10 men, beat Arsenal 2-1 with Ryan Giggs scoring a world-class goal.
The game also saw Dennis Bergkamp miss a penalty.
After Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead in the 52nd minute on Sunday at the Emirates, Gabriel Magalhaes equalised in the 63rd, two minutes after Dalot was sent off for a second yellow card, as Arsenal went on to miss chance after chance.
Captain 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’s attempt was saved by Altay Bayindir.
Arsenal dominated the match in the early stages and Gabriel Martinelli thought he had opened the scoring on 18 minutes but it was ruled out for offside.
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.
After a strong start to the second half, it was United who took the lead seven minutes in as Fernandes finished off a brilliant counter-attack.
Few minutes later, Havertz had a big chance to equalise for Arsenal but fired off target.
United were then reduced to 10 men after Dalot was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Mikel Merino.
Magalhaes equalised for Arsenal moments later 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 the 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.
The game then went to penalties with Zirkzee converting the final spot kick to send the holders into the next round.
FA Cup third round results:
Arsenal 1 – 1 Man United
( 3-5 on penalties)
Tamworth 0 – 3 Spurs
Crystal Palace 1 – 0 Stockport
Ipswich 3 – 0 Bristol City
Newcastle 3 – 1 Bromley
Hull 1 – 1 Doncaster Rover
(4-5 on penalties)
