Arsenal steal FA Cup semi-final spot but this was a match Sheffield United didn't deserve to lose

True, substitute Dani Ceballos’ conversion was clinical, even though the person responsible for uttering those words might have been getting a little carried away. But the bigger issue, as Arsenal stumbled into the last four of the FA Cup, was that this wasn’t a game Sheffield United deserved to lose.

Moments earlier, when David McGoldrick’s second goal in the competition this season had cancelled-out the visitors’ controversial opener, it appeared as if Chris Wilder’s side, not the visitors from London, were destined for Wembley as they sensed a memorable and much needed victory.

But they were denied in the cruellest of fashion when Ceballos swept home through Dean Henderson’s legs after foraging for and then finding space inside the United area.

The result leaves Wilder’s men still without a win since English football returned to action following the Covid-19 pandemic earlier this month. But when United’s disappointment subsides - and their frustration at a series of woefully poor refereeing decisions dissipates - they can at least take encouragement from the fact the final outcome did not do justice to their contribution throughout this quarter-final tie.

Wilder, who had lamented his team’s performances en route to this fixture, will have been hearted to see them looking much more like their usual tenacious selves at the beginning of this contest. Indeed, with only eight minutes gone, United thought they had taken the lead when John Lundstram, who was later forced off through injury, turned the ball into the back of the net following the second of two quick-fire corners. The midfielder’s effort, however, was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

Midway through the opening period, although United had been posing Arsenal’s disfunctional defence plenty of problems, it was Mikel Arteta’s men who took the lead when Paul Tierney adjudged Chris Basham’s challenge on Alexandre Lacazatte was worthy of a penalty. Yes, there was contact. But it was minimal. Nicolas Pepe, however, was in no mood to ensure justice was served by fluffing his lines and threaded a low shot between Henderson’s outstretched palm and the 23-year-old’s left-hand post.

Basham glanced wide as United went in search of an equaliser and one duly arrived with only three minutes remaining when McGoldrick pounced following a Jack Robinson throw-in. But as extra-time beckoned and the hosts grew in prominence - Billy Sharp, who had just been introduced from the bench, forcing Emilliano Martinez to block at the near post - when Pepe swept forward, was blocked Enda Stevens, but the ball fell at the feet of Ceballos who, after taking a couple of touches, seized his opportunity.

Sheffield United: Henderson, Baldock (K Freeman 62), Stevens, Robinson, Egan, Basham (Sharp 76), Norwood, Fleck, Lundstram (Berge 34), McBurnie, McGoldrick. Not used: Moore, L Freeman, Jagielka,, Mousset, Osborn, Zivkovic.

Arsenal: Martinez, Tierney, Lacazette (Nketiah 67), Maitland-Niles, Pepe (Sokratis 90), Mustafi, Luiz (Holding 54), Willock (Ceballos 67), Kolasinac, Xhaka, Saka. Not used: Bellerin, Sokratis, Aubameyang, Nelson, Macey, Smith.

Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire).