Zirkzee’s penalty sends Manchester United to FA Cup glory over Arsenal

DDM News

ARSENAL 1 (5)-(3) 1 MANCHESTER UNITED: A thrilling penalty shootout was required to determine the winner as Manchester United edged out Arsenal to progress in the FA Cup.

Joshua Zirkzee’s successful penalty sealed the deal for United after Arsenal’s Kai Havertz missed his chance.

The match began with a controversial decision as Gabriel Martinelli’s goal was ruled out for offside, much to his dismay.

The Brazilian forward believed the deflection off Harry Maguire’s boot had played him onside, but the linesman disagreed.

This moment, along with a lack of chances throughout the first half, set the tone for a tense encounter.

Arsenal struggled to generate offensive threats, and it was Manchester United who struck first in the second half.

Alejandro Garnacho’s intelligent run into space allowed him to deliver the perfect assist to Bruno Fernandes, who powerfully finished past Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya.

The Reds’ lead, however, was short-lived.

Diogo Dalot’s reckless challenge earned him a second yellow card and sent him off, leaving United with 10 men on the pitch.

Moments later, Gabriel Magalhães’ deflected shot found its way past United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, restoring parity for Arsenal.

The intensity rose as Arsenal earned a penalty following a challenge on Maguire.

However, Martin Ødegaard’s spotkick was saved by Bayindir, keeping United in the game.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports that Arsenal continued to pressure United but couldn’t break through, forcing the match into extra time.

In the end, the teams were tied, and penalties would decide the outcome.

Key Takeaways From The Match

Before the game, reports surfaced that United’s young winger, Alejandro Garnacho, had attracted interest from Antonio Conte and Napoli.

With Napoli looking for a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Garnacho’s potential move was under scrutiny.

Despite being available for transfer, Garnacho started the match for United under coach Ruben Amorim, while Marcus Rashford, reportedly unsettled, was once again excluded from the squad.

Garnacho, at just 20 years old, made his first start in over a month and played a key role in United’s opening goal.

His direct run down the right wing was crucial in setting up Fernandes for the finish.

Garnacho showed glimpses of the talent that has drawn attention from top clubs.

Who Needs a Striker More?

Both Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked to new signings in the forward position, but neither seems close to landing one.

Gabriel Jesus and Rasmus Højlund were both given the chance to lead their respective teams’ attacks, with Jesus operating on the right flank for Arsenal and Højlund isolated at the forefront for United.

Arsenal’s issues up front deepened when Jesus was stretchered off with a knee injury just before halftime.

With this setback, the Gunners were down another attacking option.

Despite having plenty of possession, neither side had a dominant presence in attack, highlighting their need for a clinical striker.

Højlund, in particular, struggled with a lack of service, and Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, may find his need for a striker even more pressing after the match.

Arsenal’s Injury Woes

Arsenal’s injury list grew yet again in this match.

Before kick-off, Riccardo Calafiori was ruled out due to a muscular issue.

Jesus, already struggling for form, left the pitch early with a knee injury, and there were further concerns when Martin Ødegaard appeared to limp off just before the halftime whistle.

Fortunately, Ødegaard managed to continue after the break, but his performance was hampered.

He even missed a penalty in the second half, a moment that symbolized Arsenal’s struggles on the night.

The Gunners were already missing key players like Bukayo Saka, and with Jorginho needing to be substituted during extra time, Arteta’s options were severely limited.

These injuries are a significant concern for the team as they move forward in the season.

No FA Cup Safety Net for Arteta

For Mikel Arteta, the FA Cup offered some respite last season, helping him avoid intense pressure by securing a major trophy.

However, this season, there will be no such safety net.

With the Gunners out of the FA Cup at an early stage in two of the past three seasons, Arteta’s job security could be at risk if Arsenal fails to secure a Premier League title or another trophy.

The defeat to United increases the pressure on Arteta, and now more than ever, he will need to focus on delivering success in the league to maintain his position.

Bayindir’s Bid to Stay No. 1

Rumors about Manchester United seeking a new goalkeeper to challenge Andre Onana have been circulating for some time.

On Sunday, Altay Bayindir had the opportunity to quell these rumors, but his performance was far from perfect.

The Turkish goalkeeper’s shaky start, including two misplaced goal kicks, didn’t instill confidence.

However, he redeemed himself with crucial saves later in the match.

Bayindir’s standout moment came when he saved Martin Ødegaard’s penalty, a save that helped keep United in the game.

Although Bayindir still has room to improve, his penalty-saving heroics could prove to be a valuable asset as he continues to battle for his place in the squad.

Amorim’s Performance Against the Top Sides

Ruben Amorim, the United manager, has had his fair share of challenges since taking charge, but this game provided some reassurance.

While United struggled in their previous trip to the Emirates, they showed significant improvement in this match.

Amorim’s tactical approach allowed the team to remain competitive against one of the Premier League’s top sides.

United’s performance included a notable win over Manchester City and a solid draw with high-flying Liverpool, and now this stalemate against Arsenal further reflects the team’s growing resilience.

Amorim will be eager to build on these performances when facing teams lower in the standings, looking to turn positive results into consistent form.

As Manchester United continues their FA Cup journey, their penalty win over Arsenal has sparked fresh talking points, ranging from Garnacho’s potential move to the club’s need for attacking reinforcements.

With both teams dealing with injury problems and the lack of a clear striker solution, this match was a reminder of the challenges they face.

For Arteta, the pressure mounts, while Amorim’s tactical approach is starting to show promise.

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