It was not brilliant but the main thing is elsewhere. At the end of the suspense of an indecisive meeting, if not spectacular, Arsenal qualified for the FA Cup semifinals with short win against Sheffield (1-2). Put into orbit by a penalty of Pepe in the first half, the Gunners controlled for a long time before suffering and failing at the end of the match with a goal of David McGoldrick. This is Dani Ceballos who finally put on the messiah cape by giving the Londoners a victory in overtime.
Particularly disappointing in the Premier League, Arsenal So take advantage of his presence in the Cup to regain confidence and restore a somewhat dirty coat of arms. In the semi-finals, the Gunners will face Manchester United, or the winner of Leicester–Chelsea (5 p.m.) or the winner of Newcastle–City (19h30).
Match summary
The match begins with the traditional and very intense minute of silence. The sound system, unfortunate substitute for the supporters, is ready and spits its encouragement, hostilities can begin.
Reinvigorated by a recent victory at Southampton, Arsenal is hungry and steps onto the entry ball. But faced with the rough enemy pressing, the Gunners do not advance, cornered with leather in their own camp. Symbol of a voluntary team but whose thin layer of confidence, gleaned from the Saints, is still very fragile.
The first dangerous opportunity is even for Sheffield. The strike of Robinson is deflected for a corner. Lund Tight relaxes its carcass, after a game of bowling at the far post and cheats Martinez. Sheffield exults, the VAR calms everyone, offside! The Gunners, they can breathe, they almost gave up the entry weapons (0-0).
The match is balanced, intensified, Arsenal puts his nose back in the window. And finds the breach on its first prank. Lacazette is served back to goal, on the edge of the large rectangle, Basham at a time of absence and walk on the foot of the French. It’s light but the contact is very real, inevitable penalty. Pepe grabs leather and crucifies Henderson. After a strenuous start to the match, Arteta and his are in control (0-1, 24 ‘).
Galvanized by this goal of openness, the Gunners leave from the front. With a sharp hit, Pepe tests the reflexes of the promising Henderson who relaxes well. A last feat of arms before a chapter of the match more chopped.Fouls and injuries are linked. Lund Tight, hit in the shoulder, gives way and allows the former Genkois Sander mountains to test the ground. Willock and McBurnie telescoping, the game is interrupted and loses intensity. Only the young Pepe just sow discord in the defense of Sheffield, but without success. Curtain.
The second act begins as the first had ended. By a feverish injury David Luiz, replaced by Rob Holding. Another unusual feat is the overpowering and bouncing release of Dean Henderson which is on the verge of surprising its counterpart …Emiliano Martinez.
At playtime, Sheffield goes through an emotional roller coaster again. With the same painful outcome as in the first half. Egan is in the aftermath of a free kick delight from Fleck but the referee signals … an offside.The match gains (finally) in intensity. A few seconds later, it’s the old offender Basham who tries to correct his error, but his blow of the diving helmet is not framed. Sheffield pushes but still does not find the opening.
Time flies, seconds tick and Arsenal hold on. Without shining, without offering much and by focusing on the rare counter-attacks that are granted to them, the Gunners are leading their boat.
We think we are headed for a short London victory but that is without counting on the extremism of the locals. On a very long touch balanced in the rectangle, Kolanisac the brushes get tangled, the leather bounces on Mustafi, and McGoldrick is in the right place to plant the leather at the bottom. 1-1 a few minutes before the end!
Direction the extensions? Oh no! Last London counterattack, Pepe time out on the right side before giving the leather to Ceballos, freshly brought up to play. The Spaniard enters the area and unleashes a sudden strike that strikes a Henderson stunned. Game, set and match, Arsenal was hot but provided the essentials! (1-2)
