Man City vs Arsenal ETIHAD STADIUM, MANCHESTER –
Nathan Ake was the hero of Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Premier League leaders Arsenal 1-0 in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, five points clear of champions City at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand, made six changes from the team that beat Manchester United 3-2 last weekend but took on Takehiro Tomiyasu and debutant Leandro Trossard to end the game straight away. , but City keeper Stefan Ortega produced a fine save against the hosts just before half-time. Everything really worked out for Arsenal and Manchester City made it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup thanks to Nathan Ake’s goal!
The Gunners at least won the first half in terms of odds. Debutant Leandro Trossar was lively down the left, creating chances for Nketia and Tomiyasu, while Belgium keeper Stefan Ortega tested a low shot. The hosts even played the first 45 minutes and created very little, with Kevin De Bruyne’s fine strike being the only shot that even threatened the Arsenal goal from distance.
There were few chances for either side in the second half, but Julián Alvarez scored immediately after stepping onto the pitch, firing a low shot at the post. After the rebound, Jack Grealish set up Ake, who was the calmest man at the Etihad as he rolled into the bottom corner in slow motion.
Can Arsenal find a way back? No, is the short answer. City controlled possession and never looked in danger of losing their lead, save for five minutes of losing the ball towards the end. Gabriel Martinelli was the center of attention at this stage but Arsenal failed to create an equalizer.
Man City vs Arsenal 1-0
I can’t disagree with Pep. Excellent defense from Aké, who kept the calm of Bukayo Saka who was in good form throughout the match. And on top of that, the Dutchman scored the winner with the best finish you’ve probably seen.
The city goes to the next round and there will be a suspension.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: “We were definitely better in the second half”
Finally, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC Sport, heaped full praise on his goalscorer:
“We were obviously better in the second half. Arsenal took a step forward. It was a tight game and you can tell how good a team they are. I didn’t expect them to go one-on-one, it’s hard to build on, but we beat a team top of the league and we went through to the next round.
“The season that Nathan Aki is having. He’s controlling one of the most difficult opponents in the Premier League because Saka is in an extraordinary moment.
“He is really good at tackling in the penalty area, defending at the far post and set pieces is an added bonus. He’s an extraordinary person, there are times when he doesn’t play and he never complains.”
Man City vs Arsenal Final Score
| Team | 1st HF | 2nd HF | Final |
| Man City | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Arsenal | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goals
MCI – Nathan Ake (Jack Grealish) – 64th Min.
Update: Man City vs Arsenal, Highlights of the 4th Round of the FA Cup
Final: Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Highlights: the city crosses the line. It was hard work for Pep Guardiola’s men who showed some much-needed improvement after a somewhat lethargic first half. We’re all going to try to extrapolate the things we learned tonight in terms of the title race. Arsenal, for their part, dominated the first half and City recovered from going down. They played with obvious talent despite Mikel Arteta making six changes to his starting line-up. The city was not at its best but they refused to leave and showed a strong will to win which was fatally received in north London.
90 minutes: Four minutes of added time. If only Arsenal had tried to surprise the Manchester side in the last minute recently…
89th minute: Manuel Akanji arrives and successfully challenges Granit Xhaka. The center-back has asked his teammates to back him up. Brave defense.
Minute 88: Gabriel Martinelli again! He dances effortlessly around Kyle Walker – call him later Killian! Ilkay Gundogan got the half block and Ortega lunged at the loose ball like a stray grenade.
87th minute: Granit Xhaka feeds Gabriel Martinelli. Stefan Ortega is close to beating him but City hasn’t really decided what to do with the Brazilian winger.
85 min: The next turn is completed but City is feeling a bit reluctant.
84th minute: Corner for Arsenal. There have been delays and Kyle Walker and Granit Xhaka shared some observations. A corner clearly went at the near post, but Arsenal had the ball a second time, substitute Gabriel Martinelli fired a shot at goal, but the angle was tight and Ortega was able to press back.
82nd minute: Julian Alvarez fires another shot from outside the box, but it’s direct enough for Matt Turner.
78 min: Jack Grealish circles the pass just above Aymeric Laporte and Rhodri. Julian Alvarez recovered a loose ball – of course, he did – and scored a wicked ball that Matt Turner equalized with a fine shot.
77th minute: Granit Xhaka commits one of the dumbest Granit Xhaka fouls we haven’t seen this season. Bernardo Silva stretched and City took a free-kick from a good position on the right.
76th minute: Not sure how brummie Fabio Vieira will be, but Jack Grealish offers only one or two observations to choose from.
Minute 72: It was a strong response from Arsenal, who stayed ahead after Ake’s goal. Mikel Arteta won’t like to miss out, but overall it’s a big drag for his title challengers. Bernardo Silva and Martin Ödegaard come from their own countries. Bukayo Saka was rested for Arsenal and Kevin De Bruyne’s night is also over.
66th minute: Almost compensation!!!!! Aymeric Laporte got a vital touch that didn’t go into his own net or let Eddie Nketiah in. Stefan Ortega used the resulting corner to fire away from the home fans. Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced Kieran Tierney at the Gunners’ left back.
64 minutes: TOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL!!!!! Nathan Akee!!!!!
An extraordinary hero makes a breakthrough for Manchester City!
Lineups for Man City vs Arsenal
Pep Guardiola made just two changes to the squad, which beat Wolves 3-0 and retained weekend hat-trick hero Erling Haaland. Ederson made way for first-choice keeper Stefan Ortega while Nathan Ake came on for Aymeric Laporte at left back.
Manchester City, starting XI (4-3-3): Ortega (TG) – Luiz, Stones, Akanji, Ake – De Bruyne, Rodry, Gundogan – Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.
Subs for Man City: Ederson (TG), Walker, Diaz, Phillips, Cancelo, Laporte, Alvarez, Silva, Palmer
Mikel Arteta made his full debut for Leandro Trossard as he rocked his back with six changes from the team that beat Manchester United 3-2 last Sunday. Matt Turner, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding, and Fabio Vieira are the others involved.
Arsenal starting XI (4-3-3): Turner (TG) – Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney – Vieira, Partey, Xhaka – Saka, Nketiah, Trossard.
Arsenal starting XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale (TG), White, Odegor, Martinelli, Lilina, Kivior, Lokonga, Marquinhos, Zinchenko.
How to Watch Man City vs Arsenal
England: English FA Cup matches are broadcast live on the BBC and ITV and their respective streaming services. ITV is showing City vs Arsenal.
US: Fans in the US can stream games live via ESPN+.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream games live on Paramount+.
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