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Ceballos late heroics send Arsenal into semifinals

After losing their first two matches following the restart, Arsenal have now won 2 in a row

- AFP Sheffield

Dani Ceballos fired Arsenal into the FA Cup semifinals as the Spaniard’s stoppageti­me strike clinched a dramatic 2-1 win at Sheffield United on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s side rode their luck after surviving a secondhalf barrage from the Blades at Bramall Lane.

Nicolas Pepe put Arsenal ahead with a first-half penalty after Chris Basham fouled Alexandre Lacazette.

David McGoldrick equalized with three minutes left, but on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Ceballos settled a hard-fought quarterfin­al in the final moments. Arsenal join Manchester United in the last four, with Leicester facing Chelsea and Newcastle hosting Manchester City in Sunday’s other quarterfin­als. Arteta was Arsenal’s captain when they won the FA Cup final against Hull in 2014.

And the Gunners boss remains on course to get his hands on the silverware again as Arsenal look to win the competitio­n for a record-extending 14th time.

“This is a difficult place to get a win. We are back at Wembley. I am really happy with the attitude and performanc­e of the players,” Arteta said.

“It is a great opportunit­y to try and win a title and play in Europe.”

After losing their first two matches following the restart, Arsenal, who beat Southampto­n in the Premier League in midweek, have now won two in a row.

Complainin­g about Arsenal’s hectic schedule, Arteta added: We have played four away games since the restart. Thank you to the Premier League for our calendar playing every three days. But we go again on Wednesday.”

The Blades have gone winless in their four matches since the English season restarted, ruining their hopes of a push to qualify for the Champions League and ending their FA Cup campaign. Arteta made five changes, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eddie Nketiah among those left out.

There was no place for Matteo Guendouzi again after the Arsenal midfielder’s role in the brawl against Brighton, while Mesut Ozil was also absent from the Gunners squad.

David Luiz was back in Arsenal’s defence after serving a suspension for the red card he picked up during a disastrous substitute appearance in the defeat at Manchester City last week. It wasn’t long before Arsenal’s defensive frailties were on display when John Lundstram nodded home from Oli McBurnie’s header, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside against the Blades midfielder.

Despite their unconvinci­ng start, Arsenal grabbed the lead in the 25th minute.

Basham’s challenge on Lacazette looked innocuous, but he caught the Arsenal striker just inside the area and referee Paul Tierney awarded a penalty.

Ivory Coast winger Pepe stepped up to beat Dean Henderson from the spot for his eighth goal of the season.

Arsenal were clicking at last and Kieran Tierney broke down the left, crossing for Pepe to shoot just wide. Luiz’s difficult start to the resumed season continued when the Brazilian limped off injured after stumbling while shepherdin­g the ball out of play early in the second half. Henderson almost scored a remarkable goal from his own penalty area, the keeper’s wind-assisted kick bouncing past Gunners stopper Emiliano Martinez and narrowly over the bar.

United were denied by another VAR review when John Egan headed home after McGoldrick’s shot from an offside position was pushed out by Martinez.

FASTFACT

The Gunners boss remains on course to get his hands on the silverware again as Arsenal look to win the competitio­n for a record-extending 14th time.

 ?? Reuters ?? Arsenal’s Dani Ceballos after scoring their second goal against Sheffield United on Sunday in the FA Cup quarterfin­al match.
Reuters Arsenal’s Dani Ceballos after scoring their second goal against Sheffield United on Sunday in the FA Cup quarterfin­al match.
 ??  ?? Kevin Harvick after winning the Pocono Organics 325 at Pocono Raceway on Saturday.
Kevin Harvick after winning the Pocono Organics 325 at Pocono Raceway on Saturday.

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