Man City secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The match saw both sides create opportunities to score, but it was Nathan Ake’s right-footed strike shortly after the hour mark that ultimately proved the difference.
“Both sides will feel they had the chances to win the match but it was a carefully placed finish from an unlikely source that ultimately proved the difference,” reports mancity.com.
Goalkeepers were tested early on, with Stefan Ortega Moreno of Man City palming away Takehiro Tomiyasu’s sweet strike from the edge of the box in the fifth minute. Erling Haaland’s attempt at an extravagant overhead kick was blocked by the covering Arsenal defense, showcasing the striker’s confidence.
Ortega Moreno was again called into action in the 21st minute when Leandro Trossard, making his full debut for Arsenal, shifted the ball and fired across goal. Although the German shot stopper was equal to the effort, it was a reminder of the threat posed by the much-changed Arsenal side.
Man City Pulls of 1-0 win against Arsenal in FA Cup 2023
Kevin De Bruyne’s left-footed curler narrowly missed Turner’s post, and In-form Eddie Nketiah had his first chance of the night but diverted Trossard’s cross wide. Haaland’s best chance before the break came in the 39th minute, but his dink over Turner fell just the wrong side of the post.
Man City started the second half with a boost as Nathan Ake turned finisher with a right-footed stroke inside the far post of Turner’s goal. The visitors responded with several attacks of their own, but a commanding defensive display by Man City frustrated Arsenal’s efforts to equalize.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Julian Alvarez found a pocket of space between defense and midfield and fired at goal, only to see Turner hold the ball to his chest. Despite Arsenal’s continued efforts to force an equalizer, a determined City held out for the win in FA Cup.
“That was just a brief reprieve from Arsenal pressure, with the visitors trying everything to force an equalizer. However, a determined Man City held out for a win that means FA Cup progress and undoubtedly a boost in confidence,” reports say
Arsenal lead City by five points at the top of the FA Cup table and Arteta believes the Gunners have to put the defending English champions to the sword when they have the chance.
The Arsenal boss showed a first league title in 19 years is his priority by making six changes with Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli among those left on the bench.
The sides meet again at the Emirates on February 15 before a rematch at the Etihad on April 26.
