The Gunners remain on course to defend the trophy courtesy of
Welbeck’s second-half winner, his eighth goal for the club since joining
from United on deadline day last September for £16 million.
Welbeck latched onto a dreadful back-pass from Antonio Valencia to
round United goalkeeper David de Gea and give Arsenal their first
victory here in 11 meetings dating back to 2006.
Wayne Rooney had earlier cancelled out Nacho Monreal’s opener before
Welbeck struck and Angel Di Maria was sent off for grabbing referee
Michael Oliver’s shirt as he protested a yellow card for diving.
Arsenal made five changes from the team that beat Queens Park Rangers
in the Premier League last Wednesday including Wojciech Szczesny
replacing David Ospina in goalIn a raucous atmosphere aided by Arsenal’s 10,000-strong travelling
contingent, the visitors made a positive start and took the lead through
an unlikely source.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain began to jink his way through the heart of
United’s defence before shifting the ball out to onrushing full-back
Monreal, who beat De Gea smartly at his near post from close range.
United’s response was immediate. Angel Di Maria, who cut in from the
right flank onto his left foot at almost every available opportunity,
did so in the 29th minute to devastating effect, whipping a cross for
Rooney to convert with a powerful header past Szczesny.
The England captain’s movement was clever but manager Arsene Wenger
would no doubt question the large gap between centre-backs Per
Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny which afforded Rooney the space to
score.
Louis van Gaal made a double change at the break, introducing Phil
Jones and Michael Carrick for Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera while Arsenal
lost Oxlade-Chamberlain to injury early in the second half with Aaron
Ramsey replacing him.
Arsenal restored their advantage as a goal kick lofted forward by
Szczesny found its way to Valencia, who underhit a pass back towards his
own goal and Welbeck raced onto it to beat De Gea and celebrate his
first goal against the team he joined as an eight-year old.
Hector Bellerin had been booked early on the first half for a bad
tackle on Ashley Young and the Spanish right-back was fortunate not to
be sent off when fouling the same player in the 64th minute.
Referee Michael Oliver opted to book Marcus Rojo instead for a
separate incident moments earlier and Wenger used the reprieve to take
Bellerin off and replace him with Calum Chambers.
It was in fact United who were reduced to ten men as Di Maria picked
up two yellow cards in a matter of seconds. Oliver booked the Argentina
winger for diving and he reacted furiously by grabbing the back of the
referee’s shirt as United’s players crowded around the official.
Di Maria was then given his marching orders with a second yellow card
- perhaps surprisingly not a straight red - and United were left to
chase down an equaliser with ten men.
At the other end, De Gea produced a marvellous stop to deny Santi
Cazorla before substitute Adnan Januzaj raced into the box past Monreal
and fell to ground, only to be booked, rightly, for diving by Oliver.
Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals with United left to focus solely on the race for Champions League football.
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