How Arsenal's FA Cup Victory over Manchester Utd Unfolded on Twitter

Arsenal have a long and storied history of playing at Old Trafford: They won the Premier League with a victory at the Theatre of Dreams in 2002 and frustrated Manchester United so much during a 2-0 FA Cup triumph there the following season that Sir Alex Ferguson was moved to kick a boot into David Beckham's beautiful, beautiful face. 

In recent seasons, however, the Gunners haven't had much luck at the Red Devils' home. Their last win there was September 2006, and they have lost six of their last seven encounters with Manchester Utd, one of those by an 8-2 scoreline.

Apparently, no one was feeling the pressure in the Arsenal camp more than Piers Morgan...

Before kick-off, "Welbeck" was trending on Twitter, as Arsene Wenger had decided to start the former Red Devil in place of Olivier Giroud...

"

Welbeck is starting pic.twitter.com/M8zbfJRS3I

— Simon Crooks (@SimonCrooks2) March 9, 2015"

"

welbeck will score the laws of football confirm this

— N (@nielssenberg) March 9, 2015"

Clearly, Welbeck's presence in the starting lineup irked some United fans. Some very drastic acts were promised if he scored...

Surely there's no way folks could regret Tweets like that? Right?

"Giroud" was also trending, with many unhappy with his absence from the team...

However, there was apparently some logic to Wenger's decision...

Former Gunner Martin Keown was also trending, thanks to his appearance in the BBC's coverage—and his absence from the commentary box...

"

that the BBC gives money to Martin Keown is on its own reason enough to make me seriously consider stopping my license fee. #MUFCvAFC

— Rory James Lee (@RoryJL2014) March 9, 2015"

As the game kicked off, Keown's co-commentary replacement Danny Murphy became the top trend in the UK. Evidently, the former Liverpool midfielder received just as many social media pelters as the man he stepped in for...

"

It's a good job Danny Murphy is the world's greatest ever player, otherwise his carping at everything would be a bit embarrassing #FACup

— Kenny Higgs (@TheHappyG) March 9, 2015"

In the 25th minute, the likelihood of Piers Morgan heading to the electric chair decreased when Nacho Monreal finished a wonderful piece of dribbling from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain...

"

Nacho Monreal is the best because you can roughly translate his name as Corn Chip Royal Man.

— patrick (@patrickredford) March 9, 2015"

Arsenal, however, barely had enough time to make playful jokes about Monreal's name or post further Teenage Mutant Ninja Oxlade pictures before Wayne Rooney nodded in an Angel Di Maria cross at the other end...

"

Wayne Rooney has done it again against Arsenal! 1-1 pic.twitter.com/O45cRIKUPU

— Troll Football (@Troll__Football) March 9, 2015"

The two goals sparked the game—and the stadium—into life...

As the referee blew up for half time, there was much praise for the pace of the first 45 minutes, and the Magic of the FA Cup™ which it conveyed...

The general consensus was that the game was great, but the defending was not...

"

Roy Keane accuses Blind and Valencia of 'downing tools' for Arsenal goal and brands the defending 'shocking and disgraceful'

— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) March 9, 2015"

"

The defending for Rooney's goal, the whole defensive unit over (apart from Szczesny), was absolutely criminal.

— James (@Gunnerblogger97) March 9, 2015"

Ryan Giggs also trended during the break, thanks mainly to the excessive revisiting of his classic 1999 FA Cup semi-final goal against The Gunners...

As the second half started, "Carrick and Jones" trended as Messrs. Michael and Phil replaced Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera...

"

A bench featuring Falcao, Mata and Januzaj... and Carrick and Jones get brought on. Not sure I understand that logic. #mufc

— Alice McKeegan (@amckeeganMEN) March 9, 2015"

Louis van Gaal's substitution didn't have the effect he would have hoped, as Arsenal took the lead just after the hour mark.

In a huge victory for narrative, it was Danny Welbeck who capitalised on a woeful back pass from Antonio Valencia to score against his old side...

"

Man Utd 1-2 Arsenal, Welbeck pic.twitter.com/JKd9EDzjd1

— Troll Football (@Troll__Football) March 9, 2015"

"

WELBECK!! pic.twitter.com/RTdnjpwgN4

— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) March 9, 2015"

 Those who Tweeted "If Welbeck scores..." scenarios before the game were suddenly made to feel quite nervous.

Manchester United's evening went from bad to worse in the 76th minute, as Angel Di Maria was given his marching orders for two quick fire yellow cards: One for diving and one for tugging the referee's shirt...

"

Stupid reaction from Di Maria. How are United fans complaining about that? Can't grab the referees shirt and not expect to be booked. Silly!

— TweetChelseaFC (@TweetChelseaFC) March 9, 2015"

"

Mind you, makes a change for Di Maria to do enough in a game to get booked

— Chelsea Den (@TheChelseaBlog) March 9, 2015"

"

I think Di Maria was trying to demonstrate what he felt happened to him (lack of English). If that makes sense, even so can't touch the ref.

— Rapha3l (@l3ahpar) March 9, 2015"

"

WHY REF SO MAD?! I ONLY ASK WHERE HE BUY SHIRT FROM https://t.co/6XG7GIAJly

— Angry Di Maria (@angry_dimaria) March 9, 2015"

A few minutes before the end of regular time, referee Michael Oliver had another big diving call to make when Adnan Januzaj went down in the box with absolutely no contact from an Arsenal player. The ref made the right call, leaving Manchester United in need of some serious work on their simulation technique...

Alexis Sanchez had a chance to put the visitors 3-1 ahead in the third minute of injury time, but his shot deflected wide and Oliver blew his whistle for the final time. Arsenal came away with a famous victory at Old Trafford and a trip to Wembley...

"

Arsenal's form at Old Trafford since 2015: W pic.twitter.com/QQgyxXgCJn

— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) March 9, 2015"

"

Louis van Gaal will always have those glory days...#ARSvsMUFC pic.twitter.com/grs5kpbX1U

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 9, 2015"

The result was a mixed blessing for Arsenal fans, however, as Piers Morgan escaped his own electrocution threat...

"

Great performance by Arsenal, excellent tactics by Wenger. If we played like this every week, I wouldn't have to consider electric chairs.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 9, 2015"