Arsenal's Harsh Exit Against Manchester United! Havertz Dives for a Penalty but Later Costs His Team

Amorim's team advanced in the FA Cup despite playing an hour with 10 men.

The FA Cup is a brutal competition with no-seeded teams during the draw. Premier League clubs entered at the third-round stage, immediately setting up a blockbuster clash—Arsenal vs. Manchester United. And this was one of those cases where the game's intensity matched the hype.

The first half ended goalless but was eventful nonetheless. Deciphering the game was trickier than usual as Arsenal played in an all-white kit for their "No More Red" campaign against violence. It was nearly impossible to read the players' numbers from the primary broadcast camera, confusing spectators and commentators.

At one point, Arsenal created a clear one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper. Replays revealed that Martinelli had the opportunity. The Brazilian scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside, even though the ball reached him via a deflection from Maguire.

Another key moment came in the 39th minute when Jesus stepped on Bruno Fernandes’ heel. The referee missed the foul, which could have warranted a yellow card. Furious, Fernandes slammed his dislodged boot into the ground, earning a booking. More importantly, Jesus injured himself during the incident and had to be stretchered off, replaced by Sterling.

The goals started flowing after the break. The visitors struck first: Gabriel slipped in midfield, allowing Garnacho to sprint down the flank and set up Fernandes for a finish. The Portuguese midfielder, overwhelmed with emotion, dashed toward the away section, crashing through an advertising board. However, United’s joy was short-lived.

The visitors committed numerous fouls throughout the game, culminating in Dalot receiving a second yellow card. Though he didn’t make contact with the opponent, his studs-first challenge looked reckless. Moments later, Arsenal equalized, with Gabriel redeeming himself for his earlier mistake. Surprisingly, the defender scored with his foot, not his head, bringing his tally to 20 goals for Arsenal.

Five minutes later, Arsenal earned a penalty, though it seemed Havertz embellished his fall, going down before any significant contact. Maguire’s hand grazed Havertz, but the lack of VAR in the FA Cup (at this and the next stage) meant the referee's decision was final. The absence of replays left many questioning the fairness of the call.

Ødegaard stepped up but delivered a weak penalty, giving United goalkeeper Bayındır a chance to shine. He followed it up with another stunning save a minute later, denying Rice’s header from close range. Toward the end of regulation time, Havertz missed a golden opportunity, narrowly shooting over the crossbar. In extra time, Bayındır continued his heroics with another crucial save.

The match headed into extra time, where Arsenal dominated possession while United relied on counterattacks. Amorim’s side managed to slow the game down. It appeared more composed in the added periods, contrasting their struggles during regular time.

The game ultimately went to penalties. Havertz was the only player to miss, with Bayındır delivering another spectacular save. Despite Arsenal being the better team overall, Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup fourth round.

Published by Patrick Jane
13.01.2025