Dalot Sees Red, Zirkzee Seals Victory, and Havertz Falters in Shoot-Out
United Hold Nerve in Penalty Shoot-out to Secure Fourth-Round Spot Altay Bayindir emerged as Manchester United’s hero in a tense penalty shoot-out victory over Arsenal, sending the FA Cup holders into the fourth round with a 5-3 win on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates. United, down to 10 men following Diogo Dalot’s red card, will now host Leicester City in the next round.
Kai Havertz’s afternoon went from bad to worse when his penalty was saved by Bayindir, capping a frustrating performance in which he missed two clear chances. Joshua Zirkzee sealed the win with a decisive penalty, sparking jubilant celebrations among the traveling United supporters.
Bruno Fernandes Strikes, Gabriel Responds Despite being reduced to 10 men, United took the lead through a swift counterattack, with Bruno Fernandes capitalizing on Gabriel’s slip to finish clinically. Arsenal responded immediately as Gabriel equalized following Dalot’s dismissal for a second bookable offense.
The Gunners had their chances to claim victory. Martin Odegaard saw his penalty saved by Bayindir, while Declan Rice was also denied by the inspired United goalkeeper. Havertz spurned another golden opportunity from close range, allowing United to hold on and force the shoot-out.
Key Moments of Drama and Controversy The match was filled with contentious moments. Arsenal’s frustration began when Gabriel Martinelli’s first-half strike was ruled out for offside. Tensions escalated as Gabriel Jesus was stretchered off following a clash with Fernandes. Later, Havertz drew a penalty after tangling with Harry Maguire, who vehemently protested the decision. Bayindir’s save from Odegaard added to the Emirates’ mounting tension.
In extra time, Matthijs de Ligt made a crucial intervention to deny Leandro Trossard, while David Raya kept out Zirkzee’s deflected effort. United’s resilience under Ruben Amorim showcased their growing maturity, especially after a tough Premier League loss to Arsenal in December.
Post-Match Reactions
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Manager: “Incredible how you don’t win that game. The dominance, the chances, the penalties—we did everything but score enough. I’m proud of my players. The effort was phenomenal, but we didn’t get what we deserved.
“I told Kai and the entire team: I love them. What this team does every three days is remarkable. Yes, confidence plays a role, but we’ll push forward and focus on improving.”
When asked about signing a new striker: “We missed chances from different players. Of course, I understand the speculation, but I have immense faith in my squad. Transfer matters are beyond my control.”
READ ALSO:
Ruben Amorim, Manchester United Manager: “We showed great spirit, especially with 10 men. The sending-off hurt us, but we defended well and stayed aggressive. It was a day where I felt the connection with our fans, and that helped us suffer through the tough moments.
“We’re learning how to control games even when we don’t dominate. That’s progress—knowing how to suffer and win. This is an important step forward for us.”
Next Challenge for Arsenal and United The result heaps pressure on Arsenal ahead of a crucial North London Derby against Tottenham, where their Premier League title hopes cannot afford another setback. Meanwhile, Manchester United will look to build on their momentum when they face Leicester between February 7 and 10 in the FA Cup.