Man City vs Arsenal LIVE score: Result from FA Cup clash as Nathan Ake nets winner
Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal: Nathan Ake slotted home in the second half to book City’s place in the fifth round
Nathan Ake proved the unlikely match-winner as Manchester City edged out title rivals Arsenal 1-0 in a tense FA Cup fourth-round tie on Friday.
The Netherlands defender steered home a low shot in the 64th minute at the Etihad Stadium as City landed the first blow in their trilogy of clashes with the Gunners over the coming months.
Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, had enjoyed the better of the first half, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard both forcing good saves from Stefan Ortega.
Yet, while much had been made of the growing touchline rivalry between City manager Pep Guardiola and his former assistant Mikel Arteta, for a seventh time in eight meetings it was ultimately the old master who prevailed.
Relive all the action from the Etihad Stadium as Man City beat Arsenal in the FA Cup:
Man City 0-0 Arsenal
60 mins: An hour played at the Etihad and still nothing to separate the two teams. That’s probably to be expected given their positions in the Premier League table.
Grealish sends the ball inside to Gundogan but he gets tackled by Trossard on the edge of the box and knocks his pass out of play.
Man City 0-0 Arsenal
57 mins: Riyad Mahrez and Rico Lewis are hooked off by Pep Guardiola now with Julian Alvarez and Kyle Walker brought on. Alvarez looks to like he’s playing down the middle alongside Erling Haaland.
Will those changes work in City’s favour?
Man City 0-0 Arsenal
54 mins: Arsenal’s Matt Turner stays down after a knock which gives Mikel Arteta the chance to bring his players over to the touchline and give them a series of updated instructions.
The goalkeeper is okay to play on and gets called into action almost immediately after the game resumes. Mahrez brings the ball into the box from the right before giving it to De Bruyne on the overlap.
De Bruyne slides the ball into the six-yard box and Turner drops low to palm it clear with his right hand!
Man City 0-0 Arsenal
51 mins: Rodri nicks the ball in the middle of the pitch and pokes it up to De Bruyne who spins towards goal and drives City up the pitch.
De Bruyne has Mahrez as an option on the right side but doesn’t see the winger and instead threads a tight pass into the box for Haaland.
Tomiyasu and Saliba combine to close off the forward and Arsenal come away with the ball.
Man City 0-0 Arsenal
48 mins: Aymeric Laporte intercepts a forward pass meant for Eddie Nketiah before sending the ball up to Riyad Mahrez. He lays the ball across to Ilkay Gundogan who finds Jack Grealish on the left wing.
Grealish is hounded by Takehiro Tomiyasu but manages to release the ball before getting fouled by the Arsenal right-back.
Second half: Man City 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal do make those changes. Thomas Partey and Rob Holding are the two men replaced.
Manchester City get the ball rolling for the second half.
HT Man City 0-0 Arsenal
The teams are making their way out for the second half. It looks as though Mikel Arteta is making a couple of changes for Arsenal.
Albert Sambi Lokonga and William Saliba are set to come on.
HT Man City 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira had just nine touches in the first half. He made six passes and completed just four of them.
Not a great half for the 22-year-old.
HT Man City 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal have arguably created the better chances but Erling Haaland is winning the battle against Rob Holding. The first goal could be a crucial one in this fourth round tie.
Half-time: Man City 0-0 Arsenal
45+4 mins: It’s been a half that has seen Arsenal create the better chances but Stefan Ortega has been solid between the Man City sticks.
The home side haven’t really moved out of second gear but Kevin De Bruyne curled a shot wide which interested the fans.
All to play for in the second half.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments