Red card, ‘headbutt’ and penalty chaos: 10 minutes of Arsenal vs Man Utd madness dissected

Red card, ‘headbutt’ and penalty chaos: 10 minutes of Arsenal vs Man Utd madness dissected

The FA Cup third-round match between Manchester United and Arsenal, two bitter rivals, came to life during ten minutes of frenzy.

United stunned the Emirates fans after a lacklustre first half when Alejandro Garnacho skilfully set up Bruno Fernandes to bend the ball around Arsenal custodian David Raya and deliver a flawless finish.

Few would have anticipated the drama that would ensue, let alone the penalty shootout that would decide the winner, but the goal gave the game the much-needed boost it required.

61 mins: Dalot sees red

Full-back for Manchester United Diogo Dalot had already given a yellow card for his reckless and, to be honest, ridiculous attack on Mikel Merino, a midfielder for Arsenal. Dalot was perhaps lucky not to have taken more of the man, and he definitely does not get the ball.

Referee Andrew Madley was only going to make one ruling, so there was no need for any appeals, despite Arsenal’s indignation, which has Mikel Arteta running to the touchline in protest. Dalot had to leave.

United had to defend yet another set-piece as a result of Dalot’s outburst, which will be discussed in more detail soon. As a result, Ruben Amorim was compelled to destroy the strategy that had led his side.

When you are on a yellow card, you do not make a challenge that is reckless. The referee, Andy Madley, was in a good position to judge and the player rightly received a second yellow followed by red.

63 mins: Gabriel scores for Arsenal

From the free-kick Dalot conceded, Arsenal find an equaliser. The ball is initially played short but it is eventually worked wide to Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian’s cross, via a few bobbles, falls at the feet of Gabriel, whose low strike takes a deflection off Matthijs de Ligt on its way into United’s net.

69 mins: Havertz wins controversial penalty

With Arsenal now surging forward in search of a winner, Kai Havertz collects Raheem Sterling’s pass inside the penalty area and attempts to dribble past Harry Maguire. The German hits the turf as Maguire leans across to make the challenge. The only real contact, though, appears to be from Maguire’s arm on Havertz’s chest.

The penalty is given and the United defender cannot believe it, throwing his hands to his head in shock.

The penalty kick is a poor decision by Madley. Not only has he made the wrong decision to penalise Maguire, but Havertz should have received a yellow card for an act of simulation.

The FA Cup third round has no VAR available, but I suggest had there been VAR in operation, Madley would have been instructed to visit the monitor and encouraged to overturn his decision.

70 mins: Ugarte clashes with Havertz

And that’s when it starts. When Maguire tries to reach Havertz, two of his teammates had to hold him back. Then he yells abuses while pointing to the German.

The incident where Manuel Ugarte grabbed Havertz and pushed him with his head on the perimeter of the penalty area was equally problematic. Alejandro Garnacho rushes into the battle with his arms extended, and Havertz collapses to the ground. And the fighting goes on.

To heighten the tension, United custodian Altay Bayindir saves Martin Odegaard’s penalty after a long delay during all of this. A fierce, frantic, and panting phase of the game comes to a conclusion.

There is a lot going on when you have a mass confrontation in front of you. I was the guy in the middle when these two teams clashed at Old Trafford many years ago.

The Football Association will no doubt investigate this by charging both teams for failing to control their players.

I have no doubt they will examine that unlawful use of the head in great detail. In my view, Ugarte clearly headbutted, and this ought to have been observed and addressed. If the FA does nothing, I will be dissatisfied.

Given that they will get the referees’ report by 9 a.m. on Monday, the FA will get in touch with the match officials. The match officials will be questioned about what they observed regarding a possible headbutt. The FA will consider their claim that they haven’t, and there’s a chance that both teams and the player will be charged retroactively.

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