Manchester United edged past Arsenal in a dramatic FA Cup third-round clash, securing victory in a tense penalty shootout after playing with 10 men for nearly an hour.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring with a stunning finish after a Gabriel defensive slip allowed Alejandro Garnacho to cross.
However, United’s momentum shifted when Diogo Dalot was sent off in the 61st minute for a second yellow card.
Arsenal capitalised quickly with Gabriel volleying home an equalizer. A potential game-winning penalty for Arsenal was denied as Altay Bayindir saved Martin Odegaard’s spot-kick, keeping the game level. Despite the Gunners’ relentless pressure and chances from Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, United’s defense held firm.
Extra time failed to separate the sides, leading to a shootout where Joshua Zirkzee scored the decisive penalty after Bayindir’s second crucial save against Havertz.
The win marked a significant moment for Ruben Amorim’s United, who showed resilience despite recent struggles and injuries.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s back-to-back home defeats have cast doubts on their ability to capitalize on key moments, especially with injury setbacks to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. Arteta’s side was left ruing missed opportunities, as frustration among fans grows over their quest for silverware.
