LONDON: Dani Ceballos fired Arsenal into the FA Cup semifinals as the Spaniard’s stoppage-time strike clinched a dramatic 2-1 win at Sheffield United on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side rode their luck after surviving a second-half barrage from the Blades at Bramall Lane.
Nicolas Pepe put Arsenal ahead with a first-half penalty after Chris Basham fouled Alexandre Lacazette.
David McGoldrick equalised with three minutes left, but on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Ceballos settled a hard-fought quarter-final in the final moments.
Arsenal join Manchester United in the last four, with Leicester facing Chelsea and Newcastle hosting Manchester City in Sunday’s other quarterfinals.
Arteta was Arsenal’s captain when they won the FA Cup final against Hull in 2014.
Arsenal finished the first half on the front foot, but the hosts piled on the pressure after the break.
But the Gunners were indebted to the offside flag — this time McGoldrick was penalised as John Egan converted from close range.
Chris Basham headed a great chance wide but we remained a threat too, with Tierney providing an outlet and ammunition from the left.
Arteta freshened us up with a string of substitutions but then McGoldrick pounced – only for Ceballos to have the final word.
Arteta made five changes to his starting line-up.
David Luiz was back in the side after his two-match suspension and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Joe Willock, Kolasinac and Lacazette joined him.
Mesut Ozil was ruled out with a slight back injury.
