Ten-man Manchester United knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on penalties after holding their nerve to reach the fourth round. United were down to 10 for over an hour but wasted chances cost Arsenal, as Kai Havertz missed in the shoot-out.
After a subdued first half, Bruno Fernandes sparked the tie into life with a brilliant first-time finish on the counter-attack, but United’s advantage was short lived as Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second yellow card.
Dalot’s error was punished by an immediate Arsenal equaliser when Gabriel slammed in, but the Gunners then missed the chance to take the lead as Martin Odegaard saw a penalty saved by goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
There was a touch of justice about the save, as Kai Havertz appeared to make the most of minimal contact in the box, and there was a chaotic melee between the players which resulted in several yellow cards.
From there, Arsenal missed several chances to win in normal time, with Bayindir making key saves and Havertz spurning a glorious opportunity from close range Matthijs de Ligt then made a spectacular clearance in the first half of extra time.
Joshua Zirkzee could have nicked it when his deflected shot was pushed onto the post by David Raya, but in the penalty shoot-out Bayindir saved another spot-kick, this time from Havertz, as the holders advanced to reach the fourth round draw.
It was Zirkzee who converted the fifth perfect penalty for Ruben Amorim’s side, with Fernandes, Amad Diallo, leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez all converting before him. Re-live all of the action from the Emirates Stadium in our live blog below:
Arsenal vs Manchester United LIVE
- Ten-man Man Utd stun Arsenal on penalties to reach FA Cup fourth round
- Kai Havertz misses as Altay Bayindir makes key save in shootout
- FULL TIME: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United - chaotic clash off to extra time
- MISSED PENALTY! Odegaard denied by Bayindir after melee in box
- GOAL! ARSENAL 1-1 Manchester United (Gabriel, 63 minutes)
- RED CARD! Diogo Dalot sent off for rash challenge while on yellow card
- GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (Bruno Fernandes, 52 minutes)
- HALF TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United
- OFFSIDE! Gabriel Martinelli's opener is ruled out (Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United, 19 minutes)
Arsenal FC 4 - 6 Manchester United FC
Arsenal fan Piers Morgan maintains Gunners have ‘zero chance of winning any big trophies’ with Kai Havertz as striker
21:00 , Jack RathbornArsenal fan Piers Morgan has reacted furiously to his team’s defeat to Manchester United, labelling the performance as “pathetic”.
He adds: “How can you lose at home to a team that has 10 men for that long? So long as Havertz is our main striker, we have zero chance of winning any big trophies.
“He was abysmal today. If Arteta doesn’t buy big this window, incl a top striker. our season is over.”
Mikel Arteta bemoans Arsenal defeat despite ‘dominance’ against Man Utd
20:30 , Jack Rathborn“Incredible you don’t win a game, to sum up,” Mikel Arteta says on the game.
“The dominance, the superiority in possession, we did everything to win the game.”
While the Spanish coach refused to blame Kai Havertz’s profligacy in front of goal: “We miss from various ways... I understand guys, but I couldn't love our players more.”
Joshua Zirkzee’s redemption arc complete as Manchester United understudies take centre stage
20:00 , Richard JollyOnce again, Joshua Zirkzee had the Manchester United fans cheering. It was his substitution they celebrated 13 days earlier against Newcastle, the Dutchman suddenly the scapegoat for a dozen years of underachievement and hundreds of millions wasted in transfer-market mistakes. But it was Zirkzee who slotted in the spot kick that eliminated Arsenal from the FA Cup, the substitute who decided a shootout. It has been an eventful fortnight for the striker; first humiliated, now feted. “Life has these beautiful things,” said Ruben Amorim.
Joshua Zirkzee’s redemption arc complete as Man Utd understudies take centre stage
Man Utd post on X sparks controversy
19:45 , Jack RathbornManchester United’s official X account reacted to victory over Arsenal with one word: “Justice.”
That hints at the decision to award Arsenal a penalty are Kai Havertz was adjudged to have been fouled.
Mikel Arteta was asked about it, but refused to comment: “I comment about my team and my players.”
"Justice." 👀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 12, 2025
Manchester United react to their victory against Arsenal 🍿 pic.twitter.com/2oCA8XPslh
Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Jesus injury update
19:30 , Jack Rathborn“It’s a big worry,” Mikel Arteta says on Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
“Thats my feeling. He had to come off with a stretcher. The impact, the feeling that he had.”
Arsenal have gone ‘stale’ under Mikel Arteta, claims Theo Walcott
19:20 , Jack Rathborn“Arsenal have gone from free-flowing football to going a bit stale at the Emirates,” Theo Walcott says when Gary Lineker questions what Arsenal fans will think about the future under Mikel Arteta.
“They want to be hard to beat without creating too much right now.
“You need players to do something different and they haven’t got that at the moment.”
Was Victor Osimhen the answer to Arsenal striker problems?
19:07 , Jack Rathborn“I felt that is what they needed and would possibly cost them the league not investing in that position,” Alan Shearer says on Arsenal lacking a top striker.
Micah Richards adds: “It’s hard as there are not that many, one in the short-term, Osimhen, he has problems at Napoli, but he’s a proven goalscorer. Somebody like Isak.”
While Gary Lineker suggests Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap: “What about Delap, I see, an up and coming striker.”
Arsenal urged to sign new striker to ‘make the difference’ after Kai Havertz struggles
18:59 , Jack Rathborn"They're struggling massively, the difference between the league and even this tie, it's a centre forward,” Micah Richards claims.
“It’s easy to say now, Havertz has played well, but he’s not a natural goalscorer, he’s more a No. 10 and they create chances, in the half-spaces, but you need to put chances away, be clinical.
“You have to be clinical in these moments.”
Could Altay Bayindir displace Andre Onana as Man Utd No.1?
18:53 , Jack Rathborn“It’s hard though, we don’t want to be reactionary, Onana has been alright, but he makes a lot of mistakes,” Micah Richards says. “Calmness, he looked confident.”
“When you get an opportunity, you have to take it, he more than made up for the mistake here a few weeks ago,” Alan Shearer adds.
Michah Richards highlights the next test for Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd
18:46 , Jack Rathborn“That’s the next test,” Micah Richards says, discussing Man Utd facing deep-lying teams.
“The difference between Liverpool and today. I thought they were more aggressive against Liverpool. Martinez stepped in, De Ligt, Maguire.
“Fernandes in that game, he was a No. 8. The next step for United is in the wing-back area. Against a lesser team, you want forward-thinking players in the wing-back positions, instead of Dalot and Mazraoui.
“Somebody to take on players in the wide areas and give them a different impetus.”
Ruben Amorim sends message to Ruud Van Nistelrooy ahead of FA Cup fourth round meeting
18:39 , Jack Rathborn“I’m going to see Ruud? I talked to him before I came and I’m looking forward to seeing him,” Amorim tells BBC Sport ahead of Man Utd’s fourth round tie against Leicester.
“He’s a class guy. But we need to win - maybe we will be divided. He loves this club, so we’ll see.”
Ruben Amorim praises Joshua Zirkzee and Altay Bayindir
18:35 , Jack Rathborn“He [Zirkzee] is a good guy, he works a lot and life has these beautiful things, a few weeks ago he was suffering, now a game changer, the Zirkzee goal and also Altay [Bayindir], they all have the opportunity.
“They’re lucky to play for Man Utd, it doesn’t matter if you play one game or 90 games, it’s always a joy to play for this club.”
Ruben Amorim explains why Man Utd deserved to advance in FA Cup
18:28 , Jack Rathborn“Sometimes we have the feeling that everything will be OK, in the second half, I feel it, the Arsenal side felt that, maybe today is not their day,” Ruben Amorim tells BBC Sport.
“I’m pleased with how they controlled the game without the ball, set-pieces we were really strong.
“We were facing a great team, it was not just 90 minutes, it was more than that, they controlled the ball, but it was a sacrifice from my players.
“We deserve to pass through, we suffered all together and showed character.”
Ruben Amorim reacts to Man Utd’s FA Cup victory at Arsenal
18:22 , Jack Rathborn“Thankfully the players were they, they fight, sometimes not tactical or technical, it’s this,” Ruben Amorim tells BBC Sport.
“We have to compete, no matter what. They had more chances, but we deserved the win, Arsenal didn’t deserve to lose, but we deserved to win, it was really tough, we didn’t have the ball and controlled without the ball.
“Thank you to the fans, it was unbelievable, I didn’t understand it was all that area for us. I think for the next game, they’re really tired, we’ll see.”
Theo Walcott bemoans Arsenal lacking a clinical striker
18:17 , Jack Rathborn“It’s like everybody else,” Theo Walcott tells BBC Sport.
“Arsenal need a striker, it’d have been a completely different story [if they had one today against Man Utd]. That’s where it is for me now.”
Man Utd now ‘really secure’ under Ruben Amorim after FA Cup victory
18:12 , Jack Rathborn“I think for their confidence, their commitment to him, the fact they’re not rotating as much,” Micah Richards says on BBC Sport.
“When Amorim came in, they were changing positions to see who he can trust.
“They’ve got loads to improve on, as a structure, in a five, they look really secure.”
Man Utd handed home tie in fourth round of FA Cup against Leicester
18:06 , Jack RathbornThe reward for Ruben Amorim’s side is a fourth round tie against Leicester City at Old Trafford.
Now a solid opportunity to advance in the cup, which proved a happy hunting ground for Erik ten Hag despite the issues in the league to build momentum overall.
United fans, that tie will be played between 7-10 February.
FA Cup fourth round draw
17:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, with that over, it’s time for the fourth round draw...
FA Cup draw LIVE: Clubs learn fourth-round fate after Arsenal vs Man Utd clash
Bruno Fernandes and Altay Bayindir speak to the BBC
17:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle“We suffered a lot, but we sacrificed a lot for the team,” the Manchester United captain says. “Altay came here to play, and whenever he gets his chance, he’s top class for us. He thoroughly deserves this moment.
“Our focus is already on Southampton. We have to back it up. We want to be involved in these kinds of games, but we have to do it again for these fans at Old Trafford.”
And Bayindir adds: “I just help my team by working every day. I want to make everyone happy for this great club. I’m working every day. If you are not playing, it does not matter, you have to be ready every moment if you are a Manchester United player.
“We know Ruben is always trying to do his best. He has a very good relationship with the players. We are fighting together.”
FULL TIME: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United aet (3-5 on penalties)
17:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleFive perfect penalties from Manchester United and their ten men are through! The holders survive, somehow - with special mentions very much merited for Altay Bayindir, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, among others.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United aet (3-5 on penalties)
17:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
SCORED! MANCHESTER UNITED BEAT ARSENAL ON PENALTIES!
17:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat a moment for Joshua Zirzkee! The Dutchman converts from the spot to send Manchester United into the fourth round!
PENALTIES: Arsenal 3-4 Manchester United*
17:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd he does! Down the middle but out of reach of a flailing Altay Bayindir leg.
Joshua Zirkzee has the chance to win it.......
PENALTIES: Arsenal* 2-4 Manchester United
17:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleFour from four for the visitors. Calm and clean from Martinez to send David Raya the wrong way.
Thomas Partey HAS to score.
PENALTIES: Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United*
17:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleDeclan Rice...yep, confidently done. Plenty of experience from his days at West Ham for the midfielder.
Another centre back for Manchester United - it’s Lisandro Martinez striding up.
PENALTIES: Arsenal* 1-3 Manchester United
17:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat pressure? A perfect penalty from the young centre half, low and into the corner.
PENALTIES: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United*
17:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleKai Havertz...SAVED! He wasted two golden chances in the match proper and now the German has let one pass by from 12 yards, Altay Bayindir diving to his strong left side and turning the effort away.
Advantage, Manchester United. Leny Yoro will be next up, just 19...
PENALTIES: Arsenal* 1-2 Manchester United
17:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleAmad Diallo.
It’s in! A brilliant penalty whipped into the side netting.
PENALTIES: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United*
17:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleMartin Odegaard looks to answer...dispatched with aplomb! The opposite way to his spot kick earlier, and both captains have converted.
PENALTIES: Arsenal* 0-1 Manchester United
17:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleArsenal have stood down William Saliba from their list of penalty takers with Manchester United down to ten men.
Bruno Fernandes...scores! Rolled home delightfully.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
17:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleBruno Fernandes has the ball. Manchester United will take first.
Defibrillators at the ready.
OFF TO PENALTIES! Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United
17:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleCrikey. An FA Cup shootout for just the second time between this pair - after the 2005 final.
Altay Bayindir has been fantastic today. Can he produce another magic moment or two for Manchester United? They really have battled superbly.
OFF TO PENALTIES! Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United
17:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 120 + 1 minutes
17:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleIn it goes...and Manchester United thump it clear. Just about!
Arsenal reload, the fans screaming for them to get the ball in the box. Thomas Partey tries, and fails...and we are going to penalties!
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 120 + 1 minutes
17:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleA shot is deflected behind. Martin Odegaard to take the corner, surely Arsenal’s last chance...
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 120 minutes
17:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleUp goes the stoppage time board for the fourth and final time: one more minute.
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 118 minutes
17:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleA half chance for Kai Havertz, though he’d have done incredibly well to get something that could be identified as a goalward header on a cross that always looked a little too tall.
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 113 minutes
17:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis isn’t good news for Arsenal, particularly with penalties looming. Jorginho is heading off, the midfielder unable to continue; the seldom sighted Kieran Tierney gets a big cheer as he is introduced.
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 111 minutes
17:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother chance for Manchester United. Amad Diallo gets above Jorginho at the back post but can’t hit the target with his header.
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 107 minutes
17:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleSaved brilliantly by David Raya! A sweeping Manchester United move ends with Amad Diallo spotting Joshua Zirkzee nicely, and the Dutch striker’s shot is deflected dangerously. Raya adjust feet and hands well to tip it past the post.
What a moment that would have been for the visiting ten men.
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 103 minutes
17:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleBlazed away. Arsenal work the ball across the face of the Manchester United goal and Leandro Trossard doesn’t get his finish right.
Another change, this time for the visitors. Harry Maguire is looking leggy and was booked earlier; enter young Leny Yoro into the pressure cooker. Maguire takes his time exiting, which doesn’t exactly delight the home crowd.
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 101 minutes
17:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleA remarkable clearance! Kai Havertz spins in behind and as he slots across, the goal surely beckons!
But Matthijs de Ligt is there, somehow, to keep Leandro Trossard from putting boot to ball and into the back of the net. How good has the Dutchman been?
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United, 90 + 4 minutes
16:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleMuch closer! A vital touch from Altay Bayindir to prevent Declan Rice’s left-footed effort from finding the corner.
Arsenal pressing and pressing...
Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United, 50 minutes
16:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleGabriel Martinelli will put it in...and Harry Maguire will head it away. The England centre half has been very secure aerially so far.
Mikel Arteta still ‘proud’ of Arsenal players despite latest setback
19:12 , Jack RathbornMikel Arteta: “You have to understand this is part of our industry, our game, and move on. And on Wednesday we have a massive one. It’s football.
“Credit to their goalkeeper as well, who was probably their best player. You need things to go your way and tonight they didn’t.
“We scored a goal, we had a penalty, we had another three big, big chances, and we didn’t put them away. It’s an incredible team. I’m so proud of my players, I love my players. I couldn’t be prouder.”
