Danny Welbeck came back to haunt Manchester United as he struck against his former club to send Arsenal into the FA semi-finals.
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The striker, who left Old Trafford in the summer after starting his career there when he was eight, punished a poor Antonio Valencia back-pass in the 61st minute to settle a quarter-final crackling with passion and emotion.
Wayne Rooney, with his eighth cup goal in nine games, had levelled a Nacho Monreal effort, but United’s chances were hit when Angel Di Maria was controversially sent off in the 76th minute for two yellow cards.
In keeping with tradition of past encounters between these rivals and 11-time cup winners, it was a frenetic and fiesty affair. Hector Bellerin picked up the first booking in only the fourth minute for bringing down Ashley Young in full flight.
But it was also a statement of intent from the Gunners that they would not be bullied against a side that had dominated them in recent years to the extent of just a sole success and 11 defeats in their last 15 meetings.
They were suitably slick too in possession and created an opening goal of beauty and brilliance in the 25th minute. Alexis Sanchez prompted it in the middle before the ball was worked out to Monreal on the left side. He found Mesut Ozil who drifted to the right and released Oxlade-Chamberlain.
What followed was wonderful agility, as he glided past three United defenders, and great awareness to spot the supporting Monreal in space and he slipped a calm finish inside David De Gea’s near post.
Yank, goalnya monreal nih tadi.. @schalfi “_tta__: RT GoonersReport: Goal nya Nacho Monreal https://t.co/GYWJHuwuHO #vine“
— Sense der Protegir (@AnchaVII) March 9, 2015
But Arsenal’s joy was shortlived.
Just four minutes later, Valencia charged forward and found Di Maria, whose left-footed cross was full of cunning and class and there was Rooney to sneak in between Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker and power a diving header past Wojciech Szczesny.
“After getting the equaliser we felt we created enough chances to go on and win the game, but it wasn’t to be,” Wayne Rooney tells #MUTV.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 9, 2015
It was his third strike against the Gunners in the competition, and underlined his influence and impact in the frontline role.
Welbeck, once Rooney’s strike partner at United, was lively and felt he should have had a penalty just a minute after United’s leveller when Marcos Rojo grabbed his shirt. But Rooney also clipped a lovely pass that Di Maria should have volleyed first time with his right foot, but took a touch on his left and the chance was gone.
The Argentine then broke into the box but his finish lacked power and Szczesny was able to block. Di Maria was far more involved and sent a volley wide on the hour as United pressed to gain control.
The game changed seconds later when a long ball from Szczesny was chested down by Phil Jones to Valencia, but his back-pass was hurried and hopelessly short and Welbeck nipped in, rounded De Gea and stroked into the empty net.
De Hea Who..?? RT @hanis_kai: Welbeck Goal …. هدف بيليه #Arsenal (Vine by IAmFeras) https://t.co/ltUu6cxkPT
— Eric Wirtanto (@riq_90) March 10, 2015
The celebrations were restrained, but there was no disguising his joy at his first goal since December.
And United suffered more frustration when Bellerin escaped a second yellow card for bringing down Young and then Di Maria saw red.
It was a strange situation as the winger was first carded for a dive after being challenged by Aaron Ramsey, but he was dismissed when he tugged at referee Michael Oliver’s shirt in the aftermath.
“@Vine_Football: Another replay of Angel Di Maria’s red card. http://t.co/LMLmjdZV2c” #MUFCvAFC #DiMaria
— Khizar Belim (@KhizarBelim) March 10, 2015
The official then rejected a penalty appeal from substitute Adnan Januzaj as United desperately tried to find another equaliser. But it did not come.
