Arsenal 1-1 Man United (5-3 on pens): 10-man Red Devils survive onslaught from Gunners to snatch win on penalties after Diogo Dalot’s second-half dismissal

Through the winter mist of a North London afternoon, it was possible to see the green shoots of Manchester United recovery. Just the tips. There is a long way to go and for sure there will be some setbacks along the way.

But from the horrors of Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Bournemouth and Newcastle, Ruben Amorim’s players have somehow managed to inch their way forward when few expected it. Perhaps more importantly than anything, they have rediscovered a little of their self-respect and their belief.

They needed tonnes of all that here at the Emirates. They played an hour of football with ten men. They played an hour almost exclusively in their own half. Diogo Dalot’s dismissal for two quick second half bookings seemed to have killed them.

And when Bruno Fernandes’ goal was cancelled out by Arsenal defender Gabriel within a minute of Dalot exiting the scene, it seemed inevitable that Mikel Arteta’s team would run all over United.

And it could have happened. It probably should have happened. Had Martin Odegaard not fluffed a penalty – Altay Bayindir saving – soon after Gabriel’s goal then it almost certainly would have.

Yes, Arsenal missed their chances. Lots of them. If ever there was an illustration of their enduring need of a centre forward then this was it. This has been a bad week for Arsenal and in particular their up and down German forward Kai Havertz.