Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his dismay after his side’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United – and said Gabriel Jesus’ injury “doesn’t look good”.
The Gunners had over 70% possession and 26 of 33 shots between the sides in the Premier League third round at the Emirates Stadium, only to be eliminated on penalties after a 1-1 draw against 10 men.
“I love my players and I cannot be more proud because it is very difficult to demand anything other than the performance they have achieved,” Arteta told BBC Sport, calling his team “incredible”.
“I love how good they are and what they do because over 1,000 games [like this]you should lose one and [on this occasion] it was this one.
“It’s incredible. We deserved to win by a mile, but the reality is we are eliminated. The only thing that will be judged is this.
All square! The momentum of it 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 gave 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 saw a spot-kick saved in the second half of normal time as part of a stellar performance from United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who also denied Declan Rice.
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz became the only player to fail on penalties when Turkish international Bayindir pushed his shot against a post.
“It’s football… you need things to go your way and tonight that’s not the case,” lamented Arteta. “When you go to penalties you know it’s a game of coins and it could go one way or the other.”
Joshua Zirkzee keeps his cool to send Manchester United into the next round! What a tragedy!
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
Wound of Gabriel Jesus
Arteta’s side are winless in three matches in all competitions, having lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final five days ago.
It seems unlikely that Jesus will 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 hamstring injuries and underwent knee surgery during the 2022/23 season.
“No update, but it’s not looking good,” Arteta said of the 27-year-old. “He was in a lot of pain. He had to be taken down on a stretcher and he doesn’t look good.
