Danny Welbeck scored the winner against former club Manchester United as Arsenal reached the 2015 FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win at Okd Trafford on Monday night.
The England international latched on to a poor backpass from Antonio Valencia before rounding Man. United goalkeeper David De Gea to score just after the hour mark.
The goal is Welbeck’s first at Old Trafford since January 2014; when he was a Man. United player, and it helped secure a first win in over a decade for Arsenal at the Theatre of Dreams.
Reigning Cup holders Arsenal went into the encounter with just one win in the last 15 meetings against Man. United and the opening period of tonight’s Cup match suggested the trend would remain in United’s favour.
However, it was Arsenal that broke the deadlock midway through the first half courtesy of left-back Nacho Monreal’s composed finish from close range after good work from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Arsenal’s lead however lasted only three minutes as Wayne Rooney headed Man. United back on level terms to maintain his scoring streak against the Gunners, which has seen the Red Devils captain score in the last three meetings between both sides.
Arsenal had a strong shout for a penalty waved aside a minute later after Welbeck went down in the area after being pulled back by Marcos Rojo.
The Arsenal striker then had a header saved by De Gea in the 33rd minute, while Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczęsny denied Angel Di Maria and Rooney within seconds in the 43rd minute to keep scores level heading into the break.
Arsenal started the second half strong, with Alexis Sanchez seeing an effort five minutes into the half comfortably saved by De Gea.
Di Maria shot just wide moments later but Arsenal reaped reward for a better approach to the half after being gifted the goal on a platter thanks to Valencia’s poor backpass.
The Red Devils tried to respond as Chris Smalling shot over from close range and Marouane Fellaini headed straight at Szczęsny, but it was Arsenal that came closest to scoring through Sanchez whose shot was well saved by De Gea.
The night did get worse for United though as record signing Di Maria got himself sent off in the 76th minute for overly protesting a booking given him moments before.
The one-man advantage saw Arsenal finish the game strong to claim a first win in 11 matches at Old Trafford and reach the FA Cup semi-finals for a second successive season.
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