FA Cup: Man United edge Arsenal 5-3 on penalties to advance

Manchester United secured their place in the FA Cup fourth round after a thrilling encounter with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, culminating in a tense penalty shootout that ended 5-3 in favor of the visitors.

  

The match began with both teams displaying intense energy and tactical discipline. Manchester United, eager to overcome their recent challenges, fielded a strong lineup. Arsenal, playing in front of their home crowd, looked determined to assert dominance in the contest.

  

After a tightly contested first half that saw several near misses from both sides, the deadlock was finally broken in the 55th minute. Bruno Fernandes, showcasing his playmaking prowess, fired in a superb goal to give Manchester United the lead. The Portuguese star capitalized on a defensive lapse from Arsenal to place a precise shot beyond the reach of Aaron Ramsdale.

  

Arsenal, however, responded swiftly. In the 60th minute, Gabriel Magalhães rose highest during a corner to nod in a powerful header, leveling the scoreline. The home fans erupted in celebration as their team clawed back into the game.

  

Manchester United progress to FA Cup fourth round after beating Arsenal on penalties – Getty image

The match took a dramatic turn in the 68th minute when Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot was sent off after receiving his second yellow card. Reduced to ten men, United adopted a defensive approach, aiming to keep Arsenal at bay for the remainder of the game.

  

Despite the numerical disadvantage, United’s resilience was commendable. Arsenal continued to press, with Martin Odegaard stepping up to take a penalty in extra time after a handball in the box. However, United’s goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, emerged as the hero by diving to his left and making a crucial save, denying Arsenal the lead.

  

As the match progressed to penalties, the tension inside the Emirates Stadium was palpable. Both teams converted their opening penalties confidently. However, Arsenal’s Kai Havertz missed a critical spot-kick, sending his attempt wide of the post. Joshua Zirkzee then stepped up for Manchester United, coolly converting the decisive penalty to secure victory for his team.

  

This hard-fought win highlights Manchester United’s determination and mental toughness under pressure. The result sees them progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup, keeping their hopes alive for silverware this season.

  

Meanwhile, Arsenal will rue their missed opportunities, particularly Odegaard’s penalty and Havertz’s miss in the shootout. They now shift their focus to other competitions as they aim to bounce back from this disappointment.