Manager Pep Guardiola hailed Nathan Ake as an “extraordinary man” after he sent Manchester City into the fifth round of the FA Cup with the winning goal in a narrow victory over Premier League title rivals Arsenal.
The Gunners have established an impressive lead in the league but it was City who overshadowed the tight contest thanks to Ake’s accurate 64th-minute finish after good work from Jack Grealish.
Arsenal had their chances, particularly in the first half when City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, representing Ederson, saved well from Takeihiro Tomiyasu and new signing Leandro Troussard.
There was little to choose between the sides and their Premier League battle will once again come into focus when they meet at the Emirates Stadium on February 15.
“We were definitely better in the second half,” Guardiola said.
“What a season he [Ake] is having. He controlled one of the toughest opponents in the Premier League as Bokaio Saka is in an incredible moment. He is very good in duels in the box, the far post and Defending the set piece is an added bonus.
“He’s a phenomenal guy, there was a period when he didn’t play and he didn’t complain once. As a manager you want a player like Nathan. He deserves all the good things in life.”
City have the edge
City will see it as a psychological blow aimed at Arsenal, who manager Pep Guardiola has publicly acknowledged as the biggest threat to their title hopes.
City were once again less than fluid but have a squad so rich in quality and versatility that there is always a match-winning moment, on this occasion Grealish’s weave in the area and one from Ake. was provided by clever completion.
Erling Haaland was quiet but the fact that City got off the line against opponents who have become much stronger, and who have lost just one league game this season, will please Guardiola.
It was victory that came at a cost, however, with defender John Stones – who has been outstanding for his club this season and for England at the World Cup – forced off at half-time after straining his hamstring.
Stones has been an influential presence for City and Guardiola will hope the medical bulletin does not present a long-term problem.
Arsenal can be encouraged
For Arsenal, it was a rare taste of defeat this season – but plenty of encouragement for manager Mikel Arteta as he turns his attention to the league.
The Gunners put the shackles on goal machine Holland, and in the first half – with recent £21m arrival Trossard prominent – they were a real threat going forward, with Ortega a busy goalkeeper.
All of this was achieved with key men Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale back from the starting line-up.
Arsenal were pushed towards the end and it required real bravery from Ortega to keep it at bay in tight goalmouth conditions.
“I think we could have got a lot out of the game,” Arteta told JEE News.
“We had big situations in the game and we didn’t put them away. We can take a lot of positives, I think the way we approached the game and competed. It’s really hard to win against this team. But we moved on. Head with them
“In big moments, in big matches, you make the difference. That’s how you win these games.”
Although Arteta will be hurt by the defeat, it should not be taken as too much of a blow to Arsenal’s performance.
Neither manager drawing conclusions
Guardiola and Arteta were not drawing too many conclusions from the first major clash between the clubs this season when they spoke to the media afterwards.
Both will take away a measure of satisfaction, with City picking up another FA Cup victory against Chelsea in the third round, while Arteta’s understandable frustration at defeat will be somewhat assuaged by a good performance.
On the downside, both managers were sidelined due to injuries to key men.
Arsenal will be hoping Thomas Partey’s rib injury, which requires a scan, does not prove too much of a problem for the hugely influential midfielder – although a deal for Brighton’s Moses Caicedo is likely to be agreed. Their urgency would increase, with a bid of £60 million. below
City’s concern will be about Stones, who came off late in the first half with a hamstring injury. Guardiola has strengths in this central defensive area but Stones has been one of his standout and most consistent performers this season.
