Arsenal “deserved to win by far” in “incredible” FA Cup defeat to Man United – Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his dismay at his side’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United – saying Gabriel Jesus’ injury “doesn’t look good”.
The Gunners had more than 70% possession and 26 of the 33 shots between the teams in the all-Premier League third round at the Emirates Stadium, only to be eliminated on penalties after a 1-1 draw against ten men.
“I love my players and I can’t be prouder because it’s very difficult to ask for anything other than the performance they showed there,” Arteta told BBC Sport, calling his team “incredible.”
“I love how good they are and what they do because in 1,000 games (like this) you should lose one and (on this occasion) it was this one.
“It’s unbelievable. We deserved to win by far, but the reality is that we are out. The only thing that will be judged is that.”
Understood! The dynamics here changed very quickly.
Gabriel grabs the equalizer!
Watch the FA Cup on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app#BBCFootball #BBCFACup #FACup pic.twitter.com/OrW5onvSMX
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 12, 2025
Arsenal vs Man United
Bruno Fernandes had given the visitors the lead in the 52nd minute before Gabriel equalized two minutes after Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second yellow card.
Martin Odegaard then saved a penalty in the second half of normal time as part of an exceptional performance from United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who also saved Declan Rice.
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz was the only player to fail in the penalty shootout when Turkish international Bayindir pushed his shot against a post.
“It’s football… you need things to go the way you want them to and tonight that wasn’t the case,” Arteta lamented. “When you go into a penalty shootout, you know it’s a coin toss and it can go either way.”
Joshua Zirkzee stays cool and sends Manchester United to the next round! What a drama!
Watch the FA Cup on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app#BBCFACup #BBCFootball #FACup pic.twitter.com/NHdYKOtgsY
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 12, 2025
Injury to Gabriel Jesus
Arteta’s side are winless in three games in all competitions, having lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final five days ago.
Jesus is unlikely to be able to help them return to form in the near future after being replaced by Raheem Sterling after 40 minutes against United.
The Brazilian striker missed 16 games last season due to knee and thigh injuries and underwent knee surgery in the 2022/23 season.
“No update, but it doesn’t look good,” Arteta said of the 27-year-old. “He was in quite a lot of pain. He had to be put on a stretcher and it doesn’t look good.”
