Arsenal ‘deserved to win by a mile’ in ‘incredible’ FA Cup defeat to Manchester United – Arteta

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta expressed his dissatisfaction after his team’s defeat in the FA Cup against Manchester United, and said that Gabriel Jesus’ injury “does not look good.”

The Gunners had more than 70% possession and made 26 of the 33 shots between the two teams in the third round of the English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, but they were eliminated on penalties after a 1-1 draw against 10 men.

“I love my players and I couldn’t be prouder because it is very difficult to ask for anything other than the performance they gave there,” Arteta told BBC Sport, describing his team as “incredible.”

“I love how good they are and what they do because in 1,000 games (like this), you have to lose one and (on this occasion) that was the game.

“It’s unbelievable. We deserved to win by a mile, but the truth is we were out. The only thing we’ll be judged on is that.”

All square! The momentum of this event changed very quickly.

Gabriel scores the equalizer!

Watch the FA Cup on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app#BBC Football #BBCFACup #FACup pic.twitter.com/OrW5onvSMX

– BBC Sport (@BBC Sport) January 12, 2025

Arsenal vs Man United

Bruno Fernandes gave the visitors the lead in the 52nd minute, before Gabriel equalized two minutes after Diogo Dalot was sent off for receiving a second yellow card.

Martin Odegaard then saved a penalty kick during the second half of regular time as part of an exceptional performance by United goalkeeper Altay Binder, who also saved Declan Rice’s kick.

Arsenal striker Kai Havertz became the only player unsuccessful in the shootout when Turkish international Benderir hit the post.

“It’s football… you need things to go your way and tonight that didn’t happen,” lamented Arteta. “When you go to a penalty shootout, you know it’s just a flip of the coin and it can go either way.”

Joshua Zirkzee keeps his calm to send Manchester United to the next round! What a drama!

Watch the FA Cup on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app#BBCFACup #BBC Football #FACup pic.twitter.com/NHdYKOtgsY

– BBC Sport (@BBC Sport) January 12, 2025

Gabriel Jesus injury

Arteta’s side are without a win in three matches in all competitions, after losing 2-0 at home to Newcastle in the first leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final five days ago.

It looks unlikely that Jesus can help them return to form in the near future after he was replaced by Raheem Sterling after 40 minutes against United.

The Brazilian striker missed 16 matches last season due to knee and hamstring injuries and underwent knee surgery during the 2022/23 season.

“No update, but it doesn’t look good,” Arteta said of the 27-year-old. “He was in a lot of pain. He had to be taken out on a stretcher and he didn’t look good.