Despite having a numerical advantage for nearly an hour after Diogo Dalot’s red card in the 61st minute, the Gunners couldn’t overcome the defending FA Cup champions, even after taking 26 shots and maintaining 71% possession. ..Continue Reading
Arteta praised United’s goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, calling him ‘probably the best player on the pitch’ during Arsenal’s FA Cup exit at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were unable to defeat the 10-man United side on Sunday afternoon, resulting in their early FA Cup exit.
Bruno Fernandes put Manchester United ahead just after halftime, but Arsenal gained the upper hand when Diogo Dalot was sent off two minutes before Gabriel equalized, with 30 minutes left to play.
Despite creating several chances to win the match, a combination of poor finishing and outstanding saves from United’s backup goalkeeper Bayindir kept the game level.
Bayindir made a fantastic save to deny Martin Odegaard from the penalty spot and later stretched to push Declan Rice’s shot past the post.
In the penalty shootout, Bayindir outshined one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers, David Raya, by stopping Kai Havertz’s attempt, securing Manchester United’s progression.
Asked about Arsenal’s wastefulness in attack, Arteta said: ‘It’s football and a part of our execution is the goalkeeper who was probably the best player [today].
‘It’s unbelievable. Obviously, you measure the performance and what we did in relation to the position, you-know, you deserve to win the game by a mile.
‘But the reality is we are out and the only thing that’s going to be judged it that but internally I can’t.
‘I love my players. I love our team and I love how good they are and what they do because in 1000 games, you should lose one and probably it was this one.
‘You need things to go your way and tonight it didn’t. When you go to penalties you know that it’s a flick of the coin and it can go either way.’
Man United signed Bayindir from Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023 but the Arsenal match was just his fifth appearance for the Premier League team.
‘If you are not playing it doesn’t matter,’ said Player of the Match Bayindir, who is behind Andre Onana in the pecking order at United.
‘You have to be ready every minute, every second. If you are a Manchester United player you have to be ready always.
‘I am working every day. I am patient. I just want to help this great team. I want to make everyone happy for this great club.
‘[Ruben Amorim] is talking with us every day and he wants to help us. We love him and he’s always trying to do his best.
‘He has a very good relationship with the players and we are trusting him, he is trusting us. We are fighting together.’
Bayindir also attracted praise from England legend Alan Shearer after his heroics in north London.
‘Altay Bayindir was absolutely outstanding,’ the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer said. ‘It was a three-way tie between him and [Matthijs] De Ligt and [Harry] Maguire who I thought were also superb.
‘But just because of his penalty save, I thought I would give [the award] to him.
‘When you get given an opportunity, you have to take it and he took it today. He held his nerve [for Odegaard’s penalty], he didn’t blink first.
‘Bayindir kept on going and played a huge part in United getting through by saving another penalty in the shootout.’
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