-Credit:Beanyman Sports
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta thought it was “incredible” his side didn’t beat Manchester United on Sunday.
United travelled to the Emirates to face Arsenal in the FA Cup third round at the weekend and were hopeful of securing a result on the back of an impressive performance against Liverpool.
Bruno Fernandes fired United into the lead with a brilliant strike in the second half but Diogo Dalot was sent off shortly after that and Arsenal equalised two minutes later. The Gunners looked to capitalise on their one-man advantage and won a penalty in controversial circumstances.
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Martin Odegaard stepped up to the spot and Altay Bayindir produced a great save before making a string of crucial stops to deny Arsenal again in the closing stages.
Backup goalkeeper Bayindir was given the nod to start against Arsenal and he made another penalty save in the shootout, getting a strong hand to stop Kai Havertz from scoring.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, a disappointed Arteta vented to journalists and claimed it was “incredible” that Arsenal didn’t find a way to claim the victory.
“Incredible how we didn’t win the game, that’s basically to sum up, the dominance, the superiority in relation to the opposition and everything we did to try to win the game,” said Arteta.
“And that’s it, we didn’t get what we deserve clearly, but there is an element about putting the ball in the back of the net, we did it once, with the amount of situations, chances, penalties that we had, we didn’t. We go home extremely sad but I cannot be prouder of my players, the team, individually, collectively what they have produced, on Wednesday night against Newcastle, against two top teams, it’s incredible. We haven’t got rewarded and that’s the downside to it. “
Arteta was asked whether it was a damaging few days for him at Arsenal and seemed to suggest United are currently one of the best sides in the Premier League, along with Newcastle.
“I understand, but it’s a remarkable week to understand what we did again today after what happened three days ago and what we did to two of the best teams in the moment right now,” he said.
“So this is what I take from the result. I understand that and it’s extremely disappointing but I cannot put my focus on that. I think it will be very, very, very unfair.”
United have drawn Leicester City at Old Trafford in the next round of the FA Cup.