Welbeck to haunt United

Danny Welbeck returned to haunt his former club as holders Arsenal progressed into the final four of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win at Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney cancelled out Nacho Monreal’s opener before Welbeck, who moved from United to London in the summer, netted the winner. Angel Di Maria's dismissal left United with an uphill battle they never really recovered from and the Gunners held on.

It was a huge win for Arsene Wenger's side as not only did it mark a first victory at Old Trafford since 2006, but the Gunners were also able to prove that they get results against their big rivals. After nine years and 11 attempts without an away win at Manchester United, this FA Cup victory becomes even sweeter for me and my fellow Gooners.

Arsenal are now just one game away from the final as they continue in their quest to defend the title they won against Hull last May. The winner of the replay between Reading and Bradford will stand in the Gunners' way in the semi final. On paper it should be a victory for Wenger's men but anything can happen in the FA Cup. Arsenal will need to ensure they are not on the end of an upset. Providing we do not get complacent and underestimate our opponents we should be okay but we need to ensure we do a professional job.

There were not too many chances in the opening stages of the first half but Arsenal broke the deadlock following fine work from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after 25 minutes. The England international, who was later forced off with a hamstring problem, skipped past three players and into the box before feeding Monreal. The full-back took one touch before beating his fellow Spaniard David De Gea at his near post.

Arsenal's lead only lasted four minutes as Di Maria sent in a delightful cross for Rooney to score with a fine header. My euphoria had quickly been replaced by nerves and, as before the game, I was again thinking it wasn't going to be our day.

Di Maria wasted two chances to put United in front before the break. He fired over with a first-time strike before later forcing Wojciech Szczesny into a save. It was a decent save by the Polish international but he was generally looking a bit shaky in goal and I would much rather have seen David Ospina between the sticks.

De Gea saved Santi Cazorla's free-kick as neither side was able to add another goal and the score remained level at the break.

Arsenal suffered a blow within seven minutes of the restart as Oxlade-Chamberlain was forced to leave the field after failing to shake off a hamstring injury. But this didn't seem to deter the Gunners who continued to push forward.

Alexis Sanchez's deflected strike was saved by De Gea before Wenger's men regained the lead after 61 minutes. Welbeck took advantage of Antonio Valencia's poor back-pass before knocking the ball beyond De Gea and slotting it home from close range.

It was a great moment for Welbeck to prove to his former suitors why they were maybe daft to let him go. It is also important for the England striker to get a goal in a big game, which will hopefully give him a much-needed confidence boost and start him on a decent run of goals.

The Gunners nearly did as they had done in the first half but, fortunately for the visitors, United wasted the big chance that came their way four minutes later. From a corner the ball arrived at Chris Smalling just a matter of yards from the goal but the defender blazed over. Szczesny was called into action soon after as he kept out Marouane Fellaini's header.

Arsenal really should have increased their lead 16 minutes from time but De Gea was on hand to again prove why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Alexis Sanchez's cross was met by the volley of Cazorla and De Gea reacted superbly to somehow claw it away.

The game took a sour turn for the worse for United four minutes later as Di Maria was booked for diving. The Argentina international was then dismissed for a second bookable offence seconds later as he appeared to grab referee Michael Oliver's shirt. Whatever anyone's view is on whether or not it was a dive, Di Maria's reaction was very daft and cost his side dear.

Manchester United were getting more and more frustrated and felt they should've had a penalty five minutes from time, only for substitute Adnan Januzaj to receive a yellow card for simulation. It was a huge call from Oliver but, although it will sound biased, I firmly believe it was the right call. There was certainly contact, albeit minimal, on the Belgian but he stayed on his feet. He then went down unchallenged seconds later and that delay says to me it wasn't due to any contact or he would've gone sooner.

Manchester United were unable to find an equaliser and Louis Van Gaal's debut season at Old Trafford looks set to end without a trophy. As for Arsenal, the visitors almost added further gloss to the victory in stoppage time but were denied a third by more goalkeeping heroics. Mesut Ozil cut back inside before setting up Sanchez but the Chilean's effort was kept out superbly by the fingers of De Gea.

It mattered little as the Gunners still came out of the game victorious in what was a special night for the visitors. It was a much-needed result to end our Old Trafford hoodoo and hopefully we can take huge confidence from this and use it in our upcoming Champions League second leg tie away to Monaco later this month. We will head to France with 3-1 deficit and a huge mountain to climb but maybe, just maybe, this can be a big turning point and we can start to believe we can turn it on in the big games. After away victories against both Manchester City and their neighbours United this season, we should go out and try to prove a big point in the Champions League as well.

But before we can start to think about the ifs and buts of Europe, let's enjoy the FA Cup win and focus our attentions on the looming league clash against London rivals West Ham at the Emirates. Can things continue to get better? Can this win against Manchester United provide a springboard for the future? Who knows what will happen but one thing is for sure, a win at Old Trafford always leaves you with a special feeling.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS