Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal's performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup warranted more, suggesting his team was far superior to the Red Devils that day.
The Gunners were knocked out by the holders on penalties at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after Gabriel Magalhaes canceled out Bruno Fernandes' stunning opener.
Altay Bayindir proved the hero for Ruben Amorim's side, saving Martin Odegaard's penalty in normal time before denying Kai Havertz from twelve yards in the shootout.
Arsenal are without a win in their last three games in all competitions, having lost to Brighton in the Premier League and Newcastle United in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.
But their performance perhaps deserved more against the Red Devils, who saw Diogo Dalot sent off just after the hour mark for a second bookable offence.
5 – Arsenal have lost five of their last six FA Cup matches and have now been eliminated from the competition in the third round in consecutive campaigns (against Millwall and Sheffield United) for the first time since 1995/96. Premature. pic.twitter.com/ulN30ygHj8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 12, 2025
The Gunners registered a massive expected goals (xG) total of 3.22 from their 26 shots, compared to United's 0.27 from their seven attempts, which only added to Arteta's frustration.
“It's incredible. Obviously you measure the performance and what we did in relation to the position. You deserve to win the race by a mile,” the Spaniard said.
But the reality is that we are out and the only thing that will be judged is that, but internally I can't do that.
“I love my players. I love our team and I love how good they are and what they do, because in a thousand games you should lose one and it was probably this one.
“You have to understand this too, it's part of our industry, our game, and move on because you don't have time for that because we have a huge one on Wednesday.
“It's football and it's part of that execution. You need things to go your way and tonight that didn't happen.
“It's an incredible team. I'm so proud of my players. I couldn't be more proud because it's very difficult to demand anything other than the performance they put in there.”
“The ball has to go into the net and then you have to beat the opponent, that is the reality.”
Arsenal have now lost five of their last six FA Cup matches, while the Gunners have been knocked out of the competition in the third round in successive campaigns (against Millwall and Sheffield United) for the first time since 1995-96.
But their misery was compounded when Gabriel Jesus was taken off the pitch on a stretcher after two challenges in quick succession.
The Brazilian had scored three goals in his last four Premier League appearances, filling the gap left by injured duo Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri.
While she could not provide a specific assessment of the severity of Jesus' injury, Arteta suggested the forward could remain on the sidelines for some time.
“No updates, but it doesn't look good,” he said. “He was in quite a lot of pain, he had to be taken off on a stretcher and he doesn't look good.”
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