Sheffield United vs Arsenal player ratings: Gunners reach FA Cup semi-finals after Dani Ceballos’ late winner
Mikel Arteta’s side joined Manchester United in final four with other ties to be played later today
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday after seeing off Sheffield United 2-1.
The hosts fell behind after 25 minutes when Alexandre Lacazette was brought down inside the box by Chris Basham for Nicolas Pepe to convert from the spot.
John Lundstram departed with an injury shortly thereafter to make matters worse for Chris Wilder’s men, but United finally converted one of their numerous second-half chances through David McGoldrick with just minutes left in regular time.
Arsenal responded moments later, however, breaking Blades fans hearts as Dani Ceballos slid the winner under Dean Henderson to seal his side's semi-final spot.
Here’s how both teams’ players performed:
Sheffield United
Dean Henderson – 7: Could do nothing to keep out Pepe’s penalty, but denied the Arsenal forward very well moments later with a great, low save. Nearly scored with a seismic drop-kick that barely bounced after Martinez’s bar.
Chris Basham – 5: Unnecessary challenge on Pepe took place just inside the box, unfortunately for the defender, resulting in a penalty and Arsenal taking the lead. Missed a sitter with a close-range header.
John Egan – 6: Like Lundstram, found the net with his head but was offside. Was otherwise serviceable for the hosts.
Jack Robinson – 7: Forced an important block out of Xhaka early on and did some good work up the other end of the pitch shortly thereafter, keeping a Pepe cross from doing damage. Wonderful delivery should have been buried by Basham in the second half.
George Baldock – 6: Did little to stand out, but was largely solid for Wilder's side.
John Lundstram – 5: Nodded home a header from close range in the first half, but was well offside. Injured himself in a coming-together with Willock on the half-hour mark and was forced off.
Oliver Norwood – 6: Competent in the middle of United's midfield, allowing the players ahead of him to focus on attacking.
John Fleck – 5: Booked for a cynical, ‘old-fashioned’ challenge to prevent an Arsenal break in the opening half; nervy moment in the second could have put his side in trouble.
Enda Stevens – 6: Some inventive footwork in the Arsenal box nearly led to something special in the second half. Little to criticise in the wing-back’s case.
David McGoldrick – 7: Showed his motivation in a lively, hard-working display. Faded somewhat as the match progressed before finding a second wind and scoring.
Oliver McBurnie – 7: Nasty clash of heads with Willock thankfully had no lasting impact on the United man. Tested Martinez well with a flicked header early in the second half and was bright from start to finish.
Sander Berge – 6: Came on after 35 minutes for the injured Lundstram and was a worthy replacement, forcing the Arsenal defence to think with a sharp cross at one point.
Kieron Freeman – 6: Replaced Baldock on the hour mark.
Arsenal
Emiliano Martinez – 8: Impressed with his distribution. Held a powerful Norwood shot well to keep things level late in the first half and reacted quickly to a McBurnie header early in the second. Confident and decisive throughout.
Sead Kolasinac – 6: Was more solid than his central defensive partners until a botched clearance – with just minutes left in normal time – set up McGoldrick to equalise.
David Luiz – 5: Needed a big performance after horror show versus Man City and surprising contract extension. Headed away a dangerous United corner early on, but passing was sub-par. Limped off on 53 minutes.
Shkodran Mustafi – 5: Weak defensive header nearly gifted McGoldrick a goal in the opening half. Passing between the German and Luiz was poor despite lack of pressure.
Kieran Tierney – 7: Was surprisingly hesitant in a few challenges, but got forward well on a number of occasions and improved his deliveries as the game went on.
Joe Willock – 6: Twenty-year-old was clearly keen to build on his goalscoring appearance against Southampton. Thankfully recovered from a clash of heads with McBurnie.
Granit Xhaka – 7: Blocked a Robinson shot well in the early moments and was an important presence in his side’s midfield.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6: Competent performance from the 22-year-old.
Bukayo Saka – 6: Eighteen-year-old was enthusiastic but less impactful than in some of his recent outings.
Alexandre Lacazette – 7: Won his side’s penalty on an afternoon on which the Frenchman was the victim of a number of stern challenges.
Nicolas Pepe – 8: Converted his first-half penalty with conviction. Was his side’s most dangerous outlet and best player.
Rob Holding – 6: Came on for Luiz early in the second period.
Dani Ceballos – 7: Replaced Willock midway through the second half and found the crucial winning goal in added time.
Eddie Nketiah – 6: Came on for Lacazette. Could not maintain his scoring streak in the competition.
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