Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he could not be prouder of his players despite crashing out of the FA Cup to 10-man Manchester United on penalties on Jan 12.

The Gunners enjoyed a man advantage for over an hour after Diogo Dalot was booked twice early in the second half.

Bruno Fernandes had fired United in front but Arsenal levelled within seconds of Dalot’s departure through Gabriel Magalhaes.

However, a familiar lack of killer instinct in front of goal cost Arteta’s men as another chance to end a five-year trophy drought slipped by.

Martin Odegaard saw a penalty saved by Altay Bayindir before Kai Havertz and Declan Rice missed huge chances to win the tie in 90 minutes.

After a goalless 30 minutes of extra time, Havertz was the only player who failed to score in the shoot-out as United’s reserve goalkeeper Bayindir made another splendid save.

“It was unbelievable,” said Arteta. “(Based on) the performance we deserved to win the game by a mile, but the reality is that we are out and the only thing we will be judged on is that.”

Arsenal have finished second to Manchester City in each of the past two Premier League seasons.

But they have so far failed to live up to expectations this campaign to kick on to another level.

Arsenal trail Liverpool, who also have a game in hand, by six points in the Premier League title race and were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.

Arteta, though, launched a passionate defence of his squad with one eye on the north London derby against Tottenham on Jan 15.

“I love my players, I love our team and I love how good they are,” added the Spaniard.

“In 1,000 games (like this) you lose one and it was this one. But it is part of our industry, our game and we move on because we don’t have time and on Wednesday we have a massive one.”

Victory was another sign of progress for United boss Ruben Amorim after his side came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Liverpool last weekend.

The Red Devils had to defend for long spells even before going down to 10 men.

“We have to compete no matter what the situation and we competed today,” said Amorim.

“They had more chances but I think we deserved to win the way we played and the way we fought.”

United’s reward for reaching round four is a meeting with a familiar face as Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy returns to Old Trafford.

The Dutchman took charge for four matches as caretaker boss prior to Amorim’s arrival in November.

Amorim decided against retaining Van Nistelrooy as part of his coaching staff but said he is looking forward to speaking again to United’s legendary former striker.

“I’m looking forward to speaking with him. He’s a class guy,” added Amorim.

“But we need to win! Maybe he will be divided – he loves this club!”

-AFP

Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning penalty for 10-man Manchester United against Arsenal after their hectic FA Cup third-round tie finished 1-1 after extra time at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Arsenal’s Kai Havertz was the only one of the first four penalty takers to miss, denied by a brilliant stop from Altay Bayindir, before Zirkzee – booed off in a defeat by Newcastle United last month – stepped up to win the shootout 5-3.

After an underwhelming first half, United took the lead in the 52nd minute through Bruno Fernandes’ curling effort from just inside the box after a great run by Alejandro Garnacho.

The game turned on its head 10 minutes later though, as United’s Diogo Dalot – already booked for a wild challenge on Myles Lewis-Skelly – received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Mikel Merino.

Two minutes later, Bayindir’s poor attempted punch fell at the feet of Gabriel, whose shot took a wicked deflection off Matthijs de Ligt and in to put the Gunners in charge of the tie.

Arsenal could have completed the comeback when they were awarded a questionable penalty after Havertz went down under minimal contact from Harry Maguire.

But Bayindir produced a superb save from Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, before the Gunners spurned several chances to score a winner.

United will find out their opponent in the fourth round when the draw is made later on Sunday evening.

-Reuters

Arsenal’s Declan Rice scores a penalty past Manchester United’s Altay Bayindir. Emirates Stadium, London, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/David Klein

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Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is available for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Arsenal after falling ill, manager Ruben Amorim said on Friday.

The 27-year-old Rashford was left out of the squad for four straight matches before being an unused substitute in United’s home defeat to Newcastle United on Dec. 30. The academy product then fell ill and missed their 2-2 draw at Liverpool last week.

Amorim first dropped Rashford for the 2-1 derby win at Manchester City in mid-December, two days before the England international said he was “ready for a new challenge” after spending his entire career at United since the age of seven.

Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since making his senior debut for the club in 2016, winning the Europa League, two FA Cups and the League Cup twice.

“Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are available, they are training and we will see the selection for the game,” the Portuguese coach told reporters on Friday.

Asked whether any academy players will be sold or loaned in the January transfer window, Amorim said: “Our idea is always to keep the best players and to build for this club, but I am really happy and I like our players.

“My players are always my favourites so I want to keep my players. It is a special moment in this club.”

United won their 13th FA Cup last season and only Arsenal (14) have won the trophy more times. “We won some cups, we want to continue. We know at this stage we have a really tough match but we want to win,” Amorim said.

United’s number two goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, who replaced Andre Onana in their League Cup quarter-final loss at Tottenham Hotspur last month, will start against the Gunners at the Emirates.

The 26-year-old Turkey international started all three of United’s League Cup ties this season but faced criticism for errors in the 4-3 loss at Tottenham.

“I don’t rotate (the squad) because I want to rotate,” Amorim added.

“I’m trying to find the best solutions to win the game. I put the guys in who are more fresh to cope with the demands of the game. The goalkeeper position is different, Altay will play.”

-Reuters

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