Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta voiced his dismay after his side’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United – and said Gabriel Jesus’ injury is “not looking good”.
The Gunners had more than 70% of possession and 26 of the 33 shots between the teams in the all-Premier League third round tie at Emirates Stadium, only to go out on penalties after a 1-1 draw against 10 men.
“I love my players and I cannot be prouder because it’s very difficult to demand something else than the performance that they put in there,” Arteta told BBC Sport, calling his team “incredible”.
“I love how good they are and what they do because in 1,000 games [like this], you should lose one and [on this occasion] it was this one.
“It’s unbelievable. We deserved to win by a mile, but the reality is that we are out. The only thing that’s going to be judged is that.”
All square! The momentum of this one has changed very quickly.
Gabriel grabs the equaliser!
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
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Arsenal vs Man United
Bruno Fernandes had given the visitors a 52nd-minute lead before Gabriel equalised two minutes after Diogo Dalot’s dismissal for a second yellow card.
Martin Odegaard then had a spot kick saved during the second half of regular time as part of an exceptional performance by United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who also denied Declan Rice.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz became the only player not to succeed in the shoot-out when Turkiye international Bayindir pushed his effort against a post.
“It’s football… you need things to go your way and tonight it didn’t,” rued Arteta. “When you go to penalties, you know that it’s a flick of the coin and it can go either way.”
Joshua Zirkzee keeps his cool to send Manchester United into the next round! What drama!
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
Gabriel Jesus injury
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.
Jesus looks unlikely to be able to help them return to form in the near future after being replaced by Raheem Sterling after 40 minutes against United.
The Brazil forward missed 16 games last season through knee and hamstring injuries and had a knee operation during the 2022/23 season.
“No update, but it’s not looking good,” Arteta said of the 27-year-old. “He was in quite a lot of pain. He had to come off on a stretcher and he’s not looking good.”
