Arsenal have beaten Manchester City 2-0 in a surprise victory, qualifying them to the FA Cup Final where they’ll face Chelsea. After such an underwhelming season for Arsenal in the Premier League, this victory surely brings hope and joy to Arsenal fans for the future under new manager Mikel Arteta. After spending two years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, Arteta took charge of Arsenal in December after Unai Emery was sacked due to his dreadful performances with the squad.
In the first match of the Premier League kick off we had the first student vs teacher match between City and Arsenal where Guardiola and his men won quite comfortably after Arteta faced two injuries in the first half and a red card in the second half. However before the second injury to Pablo Marri, Arsenal were up to pace with Manchester City with both sides having equal possession and two goal scoring opportunities missed by Nketiah. Although Manchester City won the match 3-0, many wondered what could have happened if Arteta’s plan wasn’t thrown out the window to these injuries and mistakes.
Nobody, not even majority of Arsenal fans expected a Arsenal win. A fantastic performance where they kept Kevin De Bruyne, arguably the best midfielder in the world quiet the majority of the match. It was an Arteta masterclass as they had high pressing and wonderful passing football on the counter attack. One of the key moves from Arteta was adding Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left wing back over Bukayo Saka. Saka has played in that role majority of the season and has been exceptional, but Maitland-Niles repayed Arteta’s faith as he shut down Riyad Mahrez the entire match. Mahrez has been incredible this season with 24 goals and assists, and his absence in the match was a major reason City weren’t able to score. Mahrez was even subbed off 66th minute by 20 year old Phil Foden due to how brilliant Maitland-niles covered him, and he kept Foden quiet as well.
No one understands Manchester City more than Arteta, and he was very responsive to every move City made. Every substitution Pep made, Arteta responded with his own subs as he knew what Pep was planning. Although City had majority of the possession and more shots Arsenal still had more shots on target, resulting in two goals from star striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. Arsenal are now going to the FA Cup final where if they win, it’ll be a wonderful ending to a sour season. Planting the roots for an exciting future for Arsenal with Mikel Arteta winning his first major trophy as a manager in only 7 months.
Alex's Soccer Blog 