Man United send Arsenal out of FA Cup

Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter final stage by Manchester United who beat them 2-0 despite the Gunners having the majority of the possession. The two united goals were both from close range as Fabio and Rooney sealed the victory for United. Arsenal named a fairly strong side but Fabregas, Song and Szczesny missed out with injury. Diaby, Denilson and Almunia came in for them. Meanwhile in the Man United squad 7 defenders started, with some playing in midfield as they had their Champions league tie in mind for midweek.

Arsenal started lively and the first chance of the match fell to Arshavin as he skipped past Brown but could only drive his shot wide of the target.

Arsenal were playing some good patient football around the box but they could not fashion any chances.

Then Man United should have been ahead. Fabio crossing the ball into his unmarked twin Rafael who headed over from six yards out.

The next chance fell to United again and this time they scored. Rooney clipping a ball into Hernandez who forced a save from Almunia. However he could only palm the ball straight into Fabio who tapped the ball into an empty net.

Arsenal then managed to almost draw level. Nasri finding Van Persie who turned Vidic and unleashed a shot which was going in but for the fingertips of Van Der Sar.

From the resulting corner Van Persie had another big chance. Nasri again the man who supplied the ball but Van Persie could only head wide.

Van Der Sar was then forced into making another good save. Nasri firing through the legs of Brown towards the near post but the Dutch keeper got down well to keep United ahead.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Man United.

The first big chance of the second half fell to Koscielny who got forward from centre back but from his shot Van Der Sar made another good save to turn the shot around the post.

Four minutes into the second half United made it 2-0. Rafael running into the penalty area and putting the ball into Hernandez but his shot was blocked and it bounced out to Rooney to head home.

Chamakh then should have put Arsenal back into the game as Sagna's inch perfect cross could only be headed straight towards Van Der Sar.

Djourou was then forced to come off with a dislocated shoulder after a collision with Sagna. That meant that Arsenal had to play out the rest of the game with 10 men having already made all of their subs.

Man United then could have made it 3 as Rooney crossed the ball into the path of Hernandez but Almunia came out to make the save.

The final score ended Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Manchester United: Van Der Sar, Brown, Smalling, Vidic, Evra(80), Fabio(46), O'Shea, Gibson, Rafael(63), Rooney, Hernandez.
Subs: Kuszczak, King, Scholes(80), Obertan, Giggs(63), Valencia(46), Berbatov.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Denilson(57), Diaby(72), Nasri, Arshavin(72), Wilshere, Van Persie.
Subs: Shea, Squillaci, Eboue, Clichy, Ramsey(72), Rosicky(72), Chamakh(57).

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 74,693