Arteta Bewildered by Arsenal’s FA Cup Exit After Penalty Shootout Defeat to 10-Man Manchester United
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed he was amazed his squad could not eliminate 10-man Manchester United in their FA Cup third round encounter on Sunday, after being ousted on penalties having tied 1-1 after added time.
The home side rallied to equalize, Gabriel nullifying Bruno Fernandes’ initial goal after United’s Diogo Dalot was dismissed, and nearly seized the advantage through a disputed penalty.
However, skipper Martin Odegaard’s penalty kick was blocked by Altay Bayindir, who made the sole save of the shootout from Kai Havertz to propel United into the fourth round.
Arsenal had several opportunities to net a winner at 1-1, with Havertz culpable of missing a relatively easy opportunity in the closing 10 minutes of regular time, and Arteta found it hard to believe his squad ended up on the losing side.
“Amazing how you don’t win the match,” he conveyed to journalists. “The control, the dominance over the opposition, and everything we executed to attempt to secure the match, and that’s the outcome.
“We clearly didn’t get what we merited, but there’s a factor about getting the ball past the goal line.
“We managed it once, and with the number of instances, opportunities, and penalties we had, we didn’t (do it again). We return home extremely disappointed, but I couldn’t be prouder of my players.”
Arsenal entered Sunday’s fixture unbeaten in 10 Premier League matches and having reduced Liverpool’s advantage to six points, albeit having played one more game.
But Sunday’s FA Cup departure, following a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle United in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final, diminishes the Gunners’ chances of securing a trophy this season.
They next host city rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, but Arteta minimized any added stress following two consecutive cup defeats and stressed he was concentrating on the excellence of their displays.
Gabriel Jesus was taken off the pitch on a stretcher in evident distress during the first half on Sunday, and Arteta expressed concerns that the Brazilian forward might face an extended absence from play.
“Huge concern, that’s my sentiment,” Arteta remarked. “He had to be carried off on a stretcher in considerable pain, holding his knee, and it doesn’t look promising.”