Match Report & Player Ratings ARS/MCI

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It was a huge clash on Saturday evening between Arsenal and Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, as the apprentice was looking to get one up on the master in the hope of being within touching distance of his first trophy as Arsenal manager.

The Gunners started the game slightly erratic, losing the ball a couple of times in dangerous positions, most notably Mustafi when he was robbed of possession by Sterling in his own penalty area giving the Englishman an opportunity to get a shot off if it weren’t for Xhaka fine reading of play to get it clear. After slowly easing their way into the match in the 15th minute a huge chance fell to Arsenal’s main man, as Luiz marauded through the midfield and slotted an inch perfect pass into Aubameyang who took it on the half-turn meaning he was bearing down on goal, however his effort was straight down the throat of Ederson. With the pressure building and Arsenal’s confidence growing, an excellent 18-pass move involving 10 players was finished brilliant by Aubameyang after Pepe’s precise cross to the back post to put them in the driving seat 19 minutes in. Shortly after another golden opportunity arose for Arsenal as their high pressing tactics came into play when Xhaka nicked possession back from De Bruyne, playing it through to Aubameyang with his back to goal, but the striker was unable to capitalise after leaving his pass to Pepe short. Pep’s side continued to dominate the ball, but couldn’t create a lot due to Arteta’s team sitting so deep and as a result allowed the boys in red to counter which eventually led to a corner, with Mustafi rising the highest to force Ederson into a fine save. Going into half-time it was Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City.

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From the first whistle in the second half the onus was on Manchester City to break Arsenal down and they nearly did in the 48th minute, as De Bruyne cut the ball back from the left with Sterling meeting it first time only for him to drag it past the left hand post. Mahrez was finding little joy against Maitland-Niles, but managed to get the beating of him on this occasion allowing the Algerian to shift it onto his left foot and hit a low shot down to Martínez’s left, which was smartly saved. Pep’s side were committing men forward with every attack, but weren’t carving the Gunners apart until it looked like VAR was going to punish them again as Mustafi appeared to take Sterling down in the area, however after a review it was deemed a fair challenge. After defending for long periods of the second half, Arsenal stayed alert enough to commit men forward on the counter attack at the correct times with this one led by Pepe who laid the ball back to Tierney, the Scotsman then played in Aubameyang over the top and was through on goal with nobody able to catch him, the 31-year old showed his experience by taking a lovely first touch before slotting it underneath Ederson to put the game out of sight. The Sky Blues continued to press for an opening, but looked to be out of ideas in terms of getting through Arsenal’s defence, meaning the game finished Arsenal 2-0 Manchester City.

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Player Ratings

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Subs

I couldn’t decide on a MOTM for this one as I believe multiple players could have got it, so I’ll let you decide!