Sheffield United-Arsenal 1-2
Arsenal advanced to the FA Cup semi-final after 2-1 away against Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon.
Nicolas Pépé gave Arsenal the lead on penalty 25 minutes into the settlement. Just before full time, David McGoldrick equalized. It was Sheffield United’s first scoring in almost four months. As everyone waited for extra laps, Dani Ceballos set the winning goal in overtime. The London club have now won two games in a row. On Wednesday, table jumble Norwich awaits in the Premier League.
– It shows character and helps in confidence. We did not give up, even when they settled, says center-stopper Shkodran Mustafi.
– Sometimes you have to look at what the opponent is doing. There were many long balls. Finding solutions was not easy. This team believes in the way we play football, even when it doesn’t look as good as it should. We believe in the process, Mustafi continues.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta beamed at the advancement.
– I am very happy, because this is a difficult place to win. We are back at Wembley. I am very pleased with the attitude and performance of the guys, says Arteta.
Now he hopes for cup success despite a tough match program.
– It is a great opportunity to win a title and play in Europe. We have played four games since the start. Thanks to the Premier League for playing every three days, but we’re back on Wednesday, he says.
New damage
Sheffield United have struggled heavily since Soccer Europe reopened. They stood without scoring on the first three matches. At the same time, Chris Wilder’s usually solid defense has broken cracks in recent weeks. Injuries, suspensions and non-functioning finish line technology have made life miserable for Wilder.
Against Arsenal, Dean Henderson and John Egan were back, but ten minutes before the break, John Lundstram had to throw in the towel with a shoulder injury.
Sander Berge was the replacement. The Norwegian never managed to make a mark on the poor cup match.
The home team should equalize 1-1 by Chris Basham after an hour’s play. The defender got head free from close range, but ruled the finish aside for goal.
Late equalization
McGoldrick thought he had fixed extra laps, but then substitutes Ceballos showed up. The midfielder’s exit from the slant kept sneaking into Dean Henderson’s near corner.
Wilder admits it hurts.
– But this was more like Sheffield United as I know the team. As a professional, we don’t like to lose, and now we’re out of the tournament. We are disappointed to let in the last goal, he says.
– There are players who are hurting at the moment. We have had a great number of matches and expectations have skyrocketed. Maybe we should have lost a few games at Christmas and put in the bottom, so maybe people would pat us on the shoulder. But that’s not the way I want to do it, says Wilder.
In addition to Arsenal, Manchester United is ready for the semi-finals.
Guardiola: – We will pay tribute to Liverpool in a fantastic way
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