Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United celebrates scoring the winning penalty during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 12, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Manchester United have knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup, after a penalty shootout decided an action-packed game.

Bruno Fernandes had opened the scoring with a great strike just after half-time but five minutes of madness saw Diogo Dalot sent off and Gabriel level the scores.

Arsenal were then presented with a chance to win the match after Kai Havertz was downed by Harry Maguire but Martin Odegaard’s penalty was saved.

With nothing to separate the sides after 120 minutes, a penalty shootout was required and Joshua Zirkzee's winning strike sent Manchester United into the next round.

  • Story of the match

It was a cagey start from both teams, with Arsenal keen to establish their dominance.

But it was not until the 18th minute for the first moment of note. A through ball took a deflection off the ankle of Maguire before finding its way through to a clearly offside Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian finished well and was of the opinion that Maguire’s touch had been intentional, but the referee disagreed, and the scores stayed level.

Ruben Amorin’s team had started slowly but did carry threat, with Kobbie Mainoo trying his luck from distance, but it was a comfortable save for David Raya.

Both Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes found themselves in the book, the latter for dissent after he believed he had been fouled by Gabriel Jesus.

Jesus fell awkwardly and was stretchered off, having seemingly injured his knee. It presents yet another problem for Arsenal, with three right-wing options now in the injury room.

Another injury scare came just before halftime when Ødegaard went down, but the Norwegian emerged after the break.

But it was the other number eight on the pitch who opened the scoring in the 52nd minute. An error on the halfway line from Gabriel presented the ball to Alejandro Garnacho, who proceeded to drive forward and cross to Fernandes, who smashed the ball past Raya and into the corner.

Arsenal attempted to strike back instantly and a great chance fell to Havertz, but the German was leaning back and fired over the bar from close range.

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Just five minutes later, a moment of madness in the 60th minute scuppered Manchester United’s good work.

The Portuguese defender flung himself into a challenge with Mikel Merino and got the man instead of the ball, giving the referee no choice but to produce a second yellow card.

From the resulting free-kick, Arsenal came forward and Martinelli’s cross was headed up before being met on the volley by Gabriel. The Brazilian’s shot took a deflection off Matthijs De Ligt and flew into the net.

With the scores level and the momentum in their hands, Arsenal pushed forward and substitute Raheem Sterling’s driving run and pass to Havertz in the 69th minute produced a penalty when Maguire left out a trailing leg.

Chaos then ensued, with both teams involved in a scuffle that saw three players booked. Manuel Ugarte was perhaps lucky enough to avoid further punishment for an apparent headbutt.

Captain Ødegaard stepped up for the spot-kick, but goalkeeper Altay Bayindir produced a great save to keep his team level.

And the Turk was required again minutes later, showing superb reactions to keep out Declan Rice’s header.

Arsenal thought they’d won it in the 88th minute when Havertz again was presented with a massive chance, but the striker inexplicably shanked his shot over the bar.

And Bayindir was called into action yet again in stoppage time to top Rice’s low drive wide of the post, and that was the last action of normal time with extra time required.

The chances didn’t stop for Arsenal in extra time, as De Ligt somehow managed to divert the ball away to prevent a certain Leandro Trossard goal.

A crucial Raya stop immediately after the extra-time break prevented Manchester United taking the lead against the run of play, the Spaniard getting down low to divert Zirkzee’s deflected effort.

But after everything, there was nothing to separate the teams after 120 minutes and a penalty shootout was required.

The captains were up first, and both dispatched their penalties with confidence. 

Amad Diallo was next to make the walk and smashed his penalty in but the same could not be said of Havertz, who saw his penalty tipped wide. 

Leny Yoro and Rice both found the side netting with their penalties, to make it 3-2 after six were taken. 

Martinez and Thomas Partey also scored to leave it down to Zirkzee. The Dutchman scored and sent the Manchester United away end into raptures, and his team into the fourth round of the FA Cup. 

With his team down to 10 men, Bayindir stepped up and made numerous saves to keep Manchester United in the game.

His saves from Odegaard’s penalty and both of Rice’s shots were excellent and crucial. He was brave when faced with a flurry of corners too, punching and catching when he could.

And when it all came down to a penalty shootout, his save from Havertz's spot-kick sent his team through.