In a duel of giants this season, Manchester City beat Arsenal (1-0) this Friday in a match corresponding to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
City thus advanced to the round of 16 in the FA Cup against an Arsenal that is leader in the Premier Leaguewith five points ahead and a game played less than Pep Guardiola’s team.
With Matt Turner under the sticks, Rob Holding in defence, Fabio Vieira in the center and Leandro Trossard first-time starter in attack, Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, bet on rotations for this match, while Guardiola chose a more classic elevenwith Erling Haaland pointed and the presence of figures such as Kevin DeBruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish either Ilkay Gundogan.
Despite this, Arsenal came to be superior at the start of the match, with good chances from Takehiro Tomiyasu (5′) or Trossard (21′).
Little by little, the trend began to change, especially in the second half, when Arsenal faced without Thomas Partey, changed at half-time.
The Londoners were ceding control of the game to City, who went to a 4-4-2 scheme with the entry of Julian Alvarez instead of Mahrez at 58′.
? Nathan Aké: a center-back who defines you as a center forward. pic.twitter.com/GPU1s2FWOU
—Manchester City (@ManCityES) January 27, 2023
The Argentine world champion sent to the stick, shortly before Grealish attended Nathan Akewhose shot at ground level surprised Turner (1-0, minute 65).
Arsenal then tried to react. Arteta opted for the tricks of Oleksandr Zinchenko, gabriel martinelli either martin odegaardbut City’s substitute goalkeeper, Stefan OrtegaHe was very attentive and avoided the tie.
Guardiola, the teacher, thus won the battle in this game against Arteta, his outstanding student and former assistant, although both showed that their teams aspire to the maximum and the fight for the Premier League looks exciting.
In the league, the duel between the two will be the February 15at Arsenal’s house.
The FA Cup round of 32 continues this weekend.
The Liverpool visit to Brighton by Julio Enciso (Sunday, 10:30) while the Manchester Utd receives the Readingof the second division (tomorrow, 5:00 p.m.).
