Mikel Arteta feels Arsenal was superior side despite losing to Manchester United in FA Cup

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is perplexed by his team’s failure to win the game against Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday (January 12). The two teams finished 1-1 even after extra time, and then Manchester United edged ahead 5-3 on penalties. In a home game for Arsenal, the Red Devils’ Bruno Fernandes drew first blood scoring a goal in the 52nd minute. However, Gabriel Magalhaes scored an equalizer in the 63rd minute, only a couple of minutes after Diogo Dalot of United was shown the red card.

Arsenal had a great chance of putting more pressure on the 10-man Manchester United in the last half-hour and winning the game. But they couldn’t with Havertz being guilty of missing a simple chance in the dying stages of normal time. 

For the same reason, Arteta, after the match, was in disbelief that Arsenal couldn’t win the clash despite playing better than the opposition. “Incredible how you don’t win the game. The dominance, the superiority in relation to the opposition and everything that we did to try to win the game, and that’s it.

“We didn’t get what we deserved clearly, but there is an element that is about putting the ball in the back of the net. We did it once, and with the amount of situations, chances, penalties that we had, we didn’t (again). We go home extremely sad, but I cannot be prouder of my players,” Arteta told reporters.

Arsenal’s FA Cup exit reduces their prospect of winning a trophy this season

Arsenal’s FA Cup exit has reduced their chances of silverware this season. Earlier, they lost to Newcastle United 2-0 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final. However, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in the Premier League this season and have a chance of finishing on top.

They are currently at second place after 20 matches with 11 wins, seven draws and two losses so far and are eight points behind league leaders Liverpool, who are at 47 points.