Arsenal 1 – 1 Manchester United

Altay Bayindil and Joshua Zirkzee were penalty heroes as a ten-man Manchester United side beat Arsenal in an epic game to advance to the FA Cup fourth round where they will play vs. Leicester City at home.

After the two sides were tied 1-1 in overtime at the Emirates Stadium, Manchester United goalkeeper Kai Havertz completed a full interception from 12 yards to help the defending champions win 5-3, which made Gunners forward Kai Havertz’s A nightmarish afternoon was made worse.

Havertz missed two brilliant close-range starts in the game and never looked confident of making up for it in the penalty shootout. His penalty save gave Zirkzee the opportunity to take the winning penalty, with the Dutchman reveling in United’s success away from home after his own recent struggles in front of goal.

Diogo Dalot’s red card forced United to play with one less player for an hour, but Arsenal could not combine Gabriel’s equalizer with Bruno Fernandes’ breakthrough goal, Martin Odegaard’s controversial penalty in normal time was also saved by Bayindil. Justice then posted about Manchester United on their social media accounts.

It was a huge result for United boss Ruben Amorim, adding to recent success away to Manchester City and Liverpool. Their next game will be against Leicester City between February 7 and 10.

But it also raises questions about Arsenal’s attacking capabilities and the need for a new striker this month.

Within a week, they lost 0-2 to Newcastle in the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals and were eliminated from the FA Cup. Next? Their Premier League ambitions cannot take another blow in the north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur.

How the plot unfolds…

The game was filled with drama and controversy.

Arsenal were furious when Gabriel Martinelli’s first-half goal was ruled out for offside and Harry Maguire appeared to try to get a touch on the ball as it was being passed. They cursed their luck again when Gabriel Jesus was stretchered off after challenging on Fernandes.

Is it right to rule out a Martinelli strike?

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal were left feeling aggrieved when Gabriel Martinelli’s 18th-minute goal against Manchester United was disallowed.

The Arsenal striker was in an offside position when the ball was passed to him, but the ball hit Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on the way through.

The belated offside flag was raised.

The decision for the referees was whether Maguire intentionally passed the ball – in which case Martinelli was free to pass the ball and score – or whether the ball simply deflected in Maguire’s direction. Deflection does not mean offside is invalid.

The referee decided it was the latter and Martinelli was ruled offside.

Arsenal’s frustration was further heightened when Fernandes produced a fine counterattack for United, with Alejandro Garnacho (linked to a move) leading the way for the visitors after Gabriel’s slip.

Havertz – who was having a terrible game – squandered a great chance on the counter-attack and fired wide from close range, but Dalot thumped Mikel Merino for his second. Yellow card, Arsenal takes advantage. It was double punishment for United and moments later the ball fell in the penalty area and Gabriel calmly equalized.

Emotions flared up again when Havertz went down under a challenge from Maguire in the penalty area. The centre-back was furious with the Arsenal striker when the penalty was awarded. Havertz returned to the deck holding his head after a clash with Manuel Ugarte. Odegaard kept his head down as Bayindil saved the penalty.

The United back-up goalkeeper then did well to keep out Declan Rice’s shot before Havertz missed a better chance than he had had earlier in the opening period, allowing United to have a chance from three yards out in the 88th minute.

Matthijs de Ligt stopped United ahead of Leandro Trossard in extra time, before David Raya made a fine save at the near post. , blocked Zirkzee’s shot.

At the beginning of December, Manchester United was defeated in the Premier League. It looked like an improvement under Amorim – and the fact that they battled with 10 players for so long made the victory even sweeter.

Arteta: It’s unbelievable that we didn’t win that game

arsenal boss Mikel Arteta:

“It’s unbelievable that you didn’t win that game. That’s basically what it sums up (to you). Dominance, superiority over the opponent, everything we did to win the game. We didn’t deserve it, we didn’t Got what we deserved but we put the ball in the goal one time and we didn’t do it but I couldn’t be more proud of my players.

When asked what he said to Havertz after the game: “To him and to all of them: I love them, we all love them. Individually and collectively, they are a joy. Whatever happens, what this team produces every three days is incredible “

On the need to sign a new striker: “We missed out on different ways, different players. I understand everybody (the point), but I couldn’t love our players more and we’re very focused on the players we have to perform at the highest level. The rest is not up to us ’s hand, not mine.”

Amorim sees signs of progress

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim:

“Especially in the first half, we played better than the (Premier League) game. We were better at set-pieces, more aggressive and we showed fighting spirit, even with 10 men.”

“It was really tough for us to get sent off. Arsenal had some chances. The players were really tired.

“But from the first minute today I felt like this was our day. I felt the connection with the fans.

“When we score first, it helps us take the pain. It’s more strength to take the pain. We can calm the game down. We know more about the way we play – sometimes not playing well , but you can control the game in certain moments, obviously we are going through hardships and that is a good thing for the team.”