Mikel Arteta said Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was ‘probably the best player on the pitch’ during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal failed to beat 10-man United on Sunday afternoon to exit the FA Cup before the fourth round.
Bruno Fernandes gave Manchester United the lead just after half-time but Arsenal were well on top when Diogo Dalot was sent off two minutes before Gabriel equalised with half an hour remaining.
Arsenal created a number of chances to win the game but a combination of poor finishing and brilliance from United back-up goalkeeper Bayindir kept the tie level.
Bayindir produced a superb save to deny Martin Odegaard from the penalty spot and then was a full-stretch to push Declan Rice’s effort past the post.
In the penalty shootout, it was Bayindir who upstaged one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in David Raya by keeping out Kai Havertz and sending Manchester United through.
Asked about Arsenal’s wastefulness in front of goal, Arteta said: ‘It’s football and a part of our execution is the goalkeeper who was probably the best player [today].
‘It’s unbelievable. Obviously, you measure the performance and what we did in relation to the position, you-know, you deserve to win the game by a mile.
‘But the reality is we are out and the only thing that’s going to be judged it that but internally I can’t.
‘I love my players. I love our team and I love how good they are and what they do because in 1000 games, you should lose one and probably it was this one.
‘You need things to go your way and tonight it didn’t. When you go to penalties you know that it’s a flick of the coin and it can go either way.’
Manchester United signed Bayindir from Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023 but the Arsenal game was just his fifth appearance for the Premier League club.
‘If you are not playing it doesn’t matter,’ said Player of the Match Bayindir, who is behind Andre Onana in the pecking order at Old Trafford.
‘You have to be ready every minute, every second. If you are a Manchester United player you have to be ready always.
‘I am working every day. I am patient. I just want to help this great team. I want to make everyone happy for this great club.
‘[Ruben Amorim] is talking with us every day and he wants to help us. We love him and he’s always trying to do his best.
‘He has a very good relationship with the players and we are trusting him, he is trusting us. We are fighting together.’
Bayindir attracted praise from England legend Alan Shearer following his heroics in north London.
‘Altay Bayindir was absolutely outstanding,’ the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer said.
‘It was a three-way tie between him and [Matthijs] De Ligt and [Harry] Maguire who I thought were also superb.
‘But just because of his penalty save, I thought I would give [the award] to him.
‘When you get given an opportunity, you have to take it and he took it today. He held his nerve [for Odegaard’s penalty], he didn’t blink first.
‘Bayindir kept on going and played a huge part in United getting through by saving another penalty in the shootout.’
After knocking out 14-time winners Arsenal, FA Cup holders Manchester United will face Leicester City in the fourth round.
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