KAI HAVERTZ missed two sitters and a penalty in the shoot-out as Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup.
Manchester United’s chances of going through looked dashed when Diogo Dalot was shown a red card, particularly after Gabriel equalised minutes later.
ReutersGabriel redeemed his mistake by firing in a brilliant equaliser[/caption]
GettyBruno Fernandes opened the scoring following an error by Gabriel[/caption]
GettyThe match had plenty of needle with United perhaps lucky only one player saw red[/caption]
EPAKai Havertz missed two golden opportunities to win the match[/caption]
United started slowly but grew into the game and looked a lot more assured at defending set-pieces – their undoing on their visit to this ground last month.
Arsenal failed to create an opening in the first half and were undone minutes after half-time when Gabriel’s mistake resulted in Bruno Fernandes firing into the top corner.
Only Martin Odegaard provided creativity in midfield with Mikel Merino a passenger – except when he spurned a good chance to score.
However the Arsenal captain also missed from the penalty spot after Havertz was felled in the area, while the German missed two brilliant opportunities to net a winner.
Havertz missed a header from yards out in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Newcastle in mid-week, and he somehow shot wide with the goal gaping late on here.
Declan Rice also came close to a winner on multiple occasions as Arsenal’s threat was mostly reduced to hopeful crosses and long-range shots.
The Gunners failed to find a breakthrough so a penalty shoot-out was required to decide the match, with Joshua Zirkzee proving the hero after Altay Bayindir saved from Kai Havertz.
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Gunners display.
David Raya – 6
Could do nothing about United’s goal and produced a stellar stop to deny Zirkzee in extra-time.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Very effective on the overlap and worked well being fed by Odegaard.
Tested a couple of times by Alejandro Garnacho who proved a problem on the counter-attack.
William Saliba – 7
Dealt with Hojlund well although the striker did not pose much of a threat.
Gabriel – 6
Terrible error to lose possession to Alejandro Garnacho who was put through on goal and set up Bruno Fernandes to score.
Made amends with a brilliant finish Bukayo Saka would have been proud of.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 5
A quiet game at left-back, probably should have got forward more particularly after United went down to ten men and had Garnacho filling in at right-back.
Jorginho – 5
Kept things ticking over in the middle and was always an outlet for his team-mates.
Mikel Merino – 4
Anonymous in the middle. Difficult to see what he brings to this Arsenal side.
Missed a good chance to put his side ahead moments after the equaliser and was taken off shortly after that.
Martin Odegaard – 7
A pleasure to watch. Made everything happen, his ability to turn on the ball in the middle of the park created opportunities time after time.
But he missed the chance to win the game from the penalty spot.
Gabriel Jesus – 6
Lovely pass to break the lines and put through Martinelli, who found the back of the net but was offside.
Fell awkwardly when defending a cross in the first half and was carried off on a stretcher.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Was the main attacking threat in the first half with his direct style causing the visitors all sorts of problems.
Produced good movement and a finish to match but his goal was disallowed for offside.
Kai Havertz – 3
Won the penalty after a deft touch past Maguire.
But he missed two sitters including one just three minutes from time to win the match, and his penalty miss proved decisive in the shoot-out.
Subs
Raheem Sterling (for Jesus, 40mins) – 6
Looked sharp when he got the ball and did well in the build-up to Havertz winning the penalty.
Declan Rice (for Merino, 73mins) – 6
Almost scored with what might have been his first touch but his header was brilliantly saved.
Should have grabbed the winner in the dying moments but his low effort was again superbly matched by Bayindir.
Leandro Trossard (for Lewis-Skelly, extra-time) – 5
Will wonder how he didn’t score after Matthijs de Ligt produced a goalline clearance to deny him.
Blazed over with an effort from just outside the box.
Thomas Partey (for Timber, 101mins) – 5
Put in a few good crosses. Came close to a winner with an effort that was deflected narrowly over the bar.
Kieran Tierney (for Jorginho, 113mins) –
His arrival onto the pitch was greeted with a big cheer but he did not have much time to impact the match.
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