Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described their FA Cup third-round defeat to Manchester United as a “one in a thousand” occurrence.
The Gunners lost out in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead in the 52nd minute before Diogo Dalot saw red nine minutes later.

Gabriel Magalhães equalised almost immediately. But despite playing nearly an hour against 10 men, Arsenal were unable to score again.

Captain Martin Ødegaard missed a penalty 18 minutes from the end of normal time.

The hosts registered 26 shots in total, with Havertz guilty of two bad misses. He was also the only player to fail in the shootout, as Altay Bayindir saved his spot-kick to give Joshua Zirkzee the chance to win the game and set up a fourth-round tie for United at home to Leicester City.

“It’s unbelievable,” Arteta told the BBC.

“Obviously, you measure the performance and what we did in relation to the opposition; 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 is 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 1,000 games, you should lose one, and probably it was this one. You have to understand this as well; it’s part of our industry, our game, and we move on because you don’t have time to dwell on it. On Wednesday, we have a massive one.”

Enyimba face elimination in the CAF Confederation Cup after they held Al Masry of Egypt to a 1-1 draw in their Group D clash in Uyo on Sunday.

Mohamed Hashem gave Al Masry the lead after eight minutes.

Enyimba fought back two minutes after the break, with Ifeanyi Ihemekwele nodding home the equaliser.

The hosts goalkeeper Ani Ozoemena denied Mahmoud Hamada from the penalty spot in the 68th minute.

Enyimba moved to third position in the group with five points following the stalemate.

The People’s Elephant will be away to holders Zamalek of Egypt in their last group game next week Sunday.

Zamalek booked their passage in the quarterfinal after beating Black Bulls of Mozambique 3-1.

Abakaliki Football Club captain Ezeama Ifeanyi has boasted that the team would reclaim all the points lost in their previous matches.

The team defeated Rover FC 1-0 to break the jinx since their first appearance in the 2024 season of the Nigeria National League, NNL, in a home match that took place at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

Addressing newsmen, the chairman of Abakaliki FC, Senator Obinna Ogba, faulted the cancellation of the second goal and described the win as a thing of necessity, thanking the players for making the management proud.

“I am happy we broke the jinx; from onwards, I am sure they will be winning. Though I don’t understand why the referee should cancel the second goal, his decision is final,” he said.

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Prince Richard Idike, appreciated the team for their high level of discipline, noting that they showed great commitment towards the victory.

He acknowledged the team’s readiness to take the stage fully and maintained optimism that the De Rice Boys would come out better in their next match with Madiba Football Club in Lagos.

“With what I have seen so far, the team has started blending and understanding themselves better. I am expecting a win in our next match in Lagos State,” Idike added.