Ceballos’ stoppage-time strike sends Arsenal into the semi-finals

SHEFFIELD, England (Reuters) – Substitute Daniel Ceballos fired Arsenal into the FA Cup semi-finals with a stoppage-time goal to seal a 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday.

Arsenal, a record 13-time trophy winners, went ahead after 23 minutes when Chris Basham fouled Alexandre Lacazette in the penalty area and Pepe thundered home the spot-kick.

Arsenal fought back in the second half as Sheffield United fired long balls into the penalty area which were headed for striker Oliver McBurnie.

United goalkeeper Dean Henderson almost scored with a wind-assisted strike that bounced off Arsenal’s crossbar to the relief of his opposite number Emiliano Martinez.

With the defense under pressure, Arsenal lost David Luiz to injury and the game looked headed for extra-time when David McGoldrick equalized in the 87th minute, volleying home after the visitors failed to clear a corner.

But Ceballos emerged to win at home and lift Arsenal, who are ninth in the Premier League table, one place below Sheffield United.

“Today we didn’t give up, not even when they got the equalizer because you have to prepare for extra time anyway. We believed until the end and we were rewarded,” Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi told BT Sport.

Arsenal joined Manchester United in the last four. Leicester City face Chelsea and Newcastle United meet Manchester City later on Sunday in the last two quarter-finals.

(Reporting by Philip O’Connor Editing by Ed Osmond)