Joshua Zirkzee had heard his name chanted to the Emirates Stadium rafters by the travelling Manchester United fans when he was introduced as a substitute in the 81st minute. There has been a concerted attempt by them to build a few bridges after what happened in the Newcastle defeat at the end of December: Zirkzee applauded off after his 33rd minute withdrawal, a shattering low.
When the full-time whistle went here, this FA Cup third round tie locked at 1-1, Zirkzee turned towards the United support and geed them up. It felt as though the connection had been restored. The same supporters had got behind him when he came on in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool. And it just had to be Zirkzee who stepped forward at the end of the shootout with the kick to win it.
