Ake’s aim places Man City forward of Arsenal in FA Cup

Manager Pep Guardiola referred to as Nathan Ake an “extraordinary man” after he despatched Manchester City into the FA Cup fifth spherical with the successful aim in a slender victory over Premier League title rivals Arsenal.

Arsenal had their possibilities, particularly within the first half when City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, deputizing for Ederson, saved nicely from Takahiro Tomiyasu and new signing Leandro Trossard.

There was little to decide on between the edges and their Premier League battle will as soon as once more come into focus once they meet on the Emirates Stadium on 15 February.

Guardiola stated, “We were definitely better in the second half. Arsenal took a step forward. It was a tight game and you feel what a good side they are.”

“What weather is it [Ake] are playing He controlled one of the toughest opponents in the Premier League as Bukayo Saka in an incredible moment. He is really good in duels in the box, defending the far post and set-pieces is an added bonus.

“He’s a unprecedented man, there was a time when he did not play and he did not complain even as soon as. As a supervisor you want gamers like Nathan. He deserves all the nice issues in life.”

town has the sting

City will see it as a psychological blow in the direction of Arsenal, who have been publicly identified by manager Pep Guardiola as the biggest threat to their hopes of retaining their title.

City again lacked their fluidity, but a team brimming with quality and versatility, which is always a match-winning moment, on this occasion Grealish weaving through the area and providing a clever finish from Eke Is.

Erling Haaland was calm but the fact that City have crossed the line against opponents who have become so formidable, and who have only lost one league game this season, will delight Guardiola.

It was a victory that came at a cost, however, with defender John Stones – outstanding for his club this season and for England at the World Cup – forced off on the stroke of half-time after holding his hamstring.

Stones has been an impressive presence for City and Guardiola will hope the medical bulletin does not present a long-term problem.

Arsenal could also be inspired

For Arsenal, it was a rare taste of defeat this season – but enough for manager Mikel Arteta as they grab attention in the league.

The Gunners put the shackles on goal machine Haaland, and in the first half – headed by recent £21m arrival Trossard – Ortega was a real threat moving forward with the goalkeeper busy.

This was achieved from a starting line-up with all key men Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, William Saliba, Gabriele Martinelli and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Arsenal pushed to the end and it required real bravery from Ortega to keep him at bay in tight goalbound situations.

“I feel we might have gotten much more out of this sport,” Arteta advised ITV.

“We had large conditions within the sport and we did not put them away. We can take lots of positives, I feel, from the best way we approached the sport and competed. It’s actually laborious to win in opposition to this workforce, however we Go forward with them head on.

“In the big moments, in the big matches, you have the difference. That’s how you win these games.”

While Arteta shall be harm by the defeat, there was loads in Arsenal’s efficiency to not think about it an excessive amount of of a blow.

neither supervisor is drawing conclusions

Guardiola and Arteta weren’t drawing too many conclusions from the primary main conflict between the golf equipment this season once they spoke to the media afterwards.

Both will draw a measure of satisfaction with one other FA Cup win to observe the third-round win in opposition to Chelsea, whereas Arteta’s comprehensible disappointment in defeat shall be considerably tempered by efficiency.

On the draw back, each managers had been launched because of accidents to key folks.

Arsenal hope Thomas Partey’s rib damage, which required scans, is not going to show a serious downside for the massively influential midfield man – though it might add to their urgency to seal a deal for Brighton’s Moses Caido. A £60m bid was made. Below

City’s concern shall be round Stones, who got here off late within the first half with a hamstring damage. Guardiola has strengths in that central defensive division however Stones has been considered one of his excellent and constant performers this season.