Before Manchester City’s FA Cup semifinal, Kyle Walker said he thought his team could score as many as eight goals if things go well against Arsenal. Indeed, the Citizens could have scored eight on Saturday, creating chance after chance against a Gunners defense that still has plenty of deficiencies.
“It’s a knockout game, it’s what both teams do in both boxes that makes the difference,” Walker said before the match. “I think we have proven that when we’re on fire and things go our way, we can go and score three, four ... and maybe even seven or eight.”
But when the final whistle blew, City had scored eight fewer than Walker’s prediction, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang overcame an early miss to score twice as the Gunners dispatched the reigning FA Cup champions.
Combined with Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Liverpool on Wednesday, the last four days have to go down as the most impressive four-day period for any club in 2020, having dispatched the two best teams in England and two of the best in the world. Of course, this came after the Gunners lost the North London Derby on Sunday, because Arsenal can’t have it all go well.
While Pep Guardiola’s side had more opportunities and possession, the likes of Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Garbiel Jesus were profligate in front of goal. Of City’s 16 shots, one was on target. In contrast, Arsenal put all four of its shots on target.
Guardiola’s former protégé, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, found the right tactics to do just enough on the break to advance to the final to face either Manchester United or Chelsea.
The win was of particular significance for Arsenal, which might need to win the FA Cup to reach European competition next season. The FA Cup winner qualifies for the Europa League unless already qualified, in which case the berth goes to the sixth-place team in the Premier League standings. Arsenal, 10th in the Prem, is currently nine points out of fifth and three out of sixth with two matches left.
Arsenal vs Man City Highlights FA Cup Semifinal
Manchester City, as expected, dominated the early goings of the match. But Arsenal held off the early surge and found a way to threaten the City goal. Aubameyang was played in on goal by David Luiz only to be denied by Ederson and Alexandre Lacazette had a goal called back for offside, warning signs for Guardiola.
In the 19th minute, Aubameyang broke through, hitting a first-time volley off a looping cross from Nicolas Pépé.
AUBA!#EmiratesFACup #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/5O33UOMHJz
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 18, 2020
City responded as one would expect from the Premier League’s best offense, piling on the pressure. The Citizens had a plethora of opportunities but too often failed to hit the target, with Sterling proving particularly wasteful in front of goal. When they finally did hit the target, Arsenal backup keeper Emiliano Martinez was up to the task.
Another stellar stop for Emiliano Martínez's collection #EmiratesFACup #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/kR2mjhTDR6
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 18, 2020
Martinez might not be a backup much longer even when Bernd Leno returns from injury given the way the Argentine played lately.
The sustained pressure allowed Arsenal to surprise City on the break for a second goal in the 71st minute. Kieran Tierney and Pépé sparked the counter, which Aubameyang finished by going five-hole on Ederson.
Cool, calm & collected, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang #EmiratesFACup #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/Skjo5q9OmN
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 18, 2020
The Gunners were able to hold off the Citizens’ remaining forays forward to pull out the 2-0 victory and advance to the final. No club has won the FA Cup more than Arsenal, which has won 13 all time, the last in 2017.
