Arteta: ´Incredible´ Arsenal deserved more from Man Utd FA Cup defeat

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal’s display against Manchester United in the FA Cup warranted more, suggesting his team were far superior to the Red Devils on the day.

The Gunners were knocked out by the holders on penalties at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, having seen Gabriel Magalhaes cancel out Bruno Fernandes’ stunning opener.

Altay Bayindir proved to be the hero for Ruben Amorim’s side, saving Martin Odegaard’s penalty in normal time before denying Kai Havertz from 12 yards in the shootout.

Arsenal are without a win in their last three games in all competitions, after losing to Brighton in the Premier League and Newcastle United in their EFL Cup semi-final first leg.

But their performance perhaps merited more against the Red Devils, who saw Diogo Dalot sent off just past the hour mark for a second bookable offence.

5 – Arsenal have lost five of their last six FA Cup ties, and have now been eliminated from the competition in the third round in back-to-back campaigns for the first time since 1995/1996 (v Millwall and Sheffield United). Premature. pic.twitter.com/ulN30ygHj8

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 12, 2025

The Gunners registered a mammoth expected goals (xG) total of 3.22 from their 26 shots compared to United’s 0.27 from their seven attempts, only adding to Arteta’s frustration.

“It’s unbelievable. Obviously, you measure the performance and what we did in relation to the position. You deserve to win the game by a mile,” the Spaniard said.

“But the reality is we are out and the only thing that’s going to be judged is that, but internally, I can’t.

“I love my players. I love our team and I love how good they are and what they do, because in 1,000 games, you should lose one, and probably it was this one.

“You have to understand this as well, it’s part of our industry, our game and move on because you don’t have time to do that because, on Wednesday, we have a massive one.

“It’s football, and it is a part of that execution, you need things to go your way, and tonight it didn’t.

“It’s an incredible team. I’m so proud of my players. I cannot be prouder because it’s very difficult to demand something else than the performance that they put in there.”

“The ball has to go into the net, and then you have to batter the opponent, that’s the reality.”

Arsenal have now lost five of their last six FA Cup ties, while the Gunners have been eliminated from the competition in the third round in back-to-back campaigns for the first time since 1995-96 (against Millwall and Sheffield United).

But their misery was compounded when Gabriel Jesus was taken off the pitch on a stretcher following two challenges in quick succession.

The Brazilian had scored three goals in his last four Premier League appearances, filling the gap vacated by injured duo of Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri.

Though not able to provide a specific assessment of the severity of Jesus’ injury, Arteta suggested that the striker could be looking at some time on the sidelines.

“No updates, but it’s not looking good,” he said. “He was in quite a lot of pain, he had to come off on a stretcher, and he’s not looking good.”