Dani Ceballos scored a stoppage-time winner as Arsenal reached the FA Cup semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United. (More Football News)
Arsenal are through to the last four of the FA Cup after Dani Ceballos secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Sunday
Dani Ceballos scored a stoppage-time winner as Arsenal reached the FA Cup semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United. (More Football News)
Nicolas Pepe's first-half penalty appeared set to be the only goal at Bramall Lane, only for a largely forgettable game to explode into life in the closing stages.
Sead Kolasinac's poor clearance struck team-mate Shkodran Mustafi to inadvertently tee up David McGoldrick for an 87th-minute equaliser, seemingly sending the game into extra time.
However, substitute Ceballos beat Dean Henderson with a low shot from a tight angle to secure a July trip to Wembley for Mikel Arteta's side.
Such a wild finish was not in keeping with the rest of the tie. The Gunners had capitalised on Chris Basham’s clip on Alexandre Lacazette's heel to take the lead in the 25th minute.
United – who had an early header from John Lundstram ruled out for offside following a VAR check – huffed and puffed without truly threatening, Basham squandering a glorious chance to atone for his earlier indiscretion when heading Jack Robinson's teasing cross wide at the back post.
Arsenal helped out their opponents, though. McGoldrick scored his second goal of the season – both coming in the FA Cup – as he made the visitors pay for failing to clear a long throw.
Billy Sharp was then denied by Emiliano Martinez but Ceballos made no mistake at the other end, the Spaniard firing home to settle the all-Premier League clash.