Result: Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Competition: FA Cup
Date: 27 January 2023
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Arsenal: Turner, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Vieira, Trossard, Saka, Nketiah
Subs: Ramsdale, White, Zinchenko, Saliba, Kiwior, Lokonga, Odegaard, Marquinhos, Martinelli
Manchester City sealed a place in the FA Cup fourth round with a 1-0 win over Arsenal sealed in the second half of a cagey encounter courtesy of Nathan Ake’s deft finish.
Pre-game
Mikel Arteta made six changes from the side that started against Manchester United, giving chances to players who’ve predominantly gained most of their minutes in the Europa League. Most of the changes were at the back; Matt Turner replaced Aaron Ramsdale in goal, while Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding took over from Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba respectively. Further up the pitch, Fabio Vieira was charged with filling Martin Odegaard’s boots and Leandro Trossard, making his first start, offered an outlet on the left in place of Gabriel Martinelli. In contrast, City made only two changes from the side that beat Wolves at the weekend.
First Half
The first half centred around two key battles at opposite ends of the pitch. From the outset, Erling Haaland and Rob Holding were involved in a physical tussle that tested the patience of referee Paul Tierney while Leandro Trossard went head-to-head with Rico Lewis and gave the City right-back a torrid time.
Arsenal had the better chances, all of which involved our new Belgian, while City had half chances and looked more composed on the ball.
Trossard laid down an early marker with a dart into the box that ended with a cross for Tomiyasu who hammered at keeper Ortega. He would later drive outside Lewis and fire off an effort that the keeper did well to parry away with a strong hand. A third impressive dribble ended with a cross to Nketiah at the near post but the striker couldn’t deflect his effort on target.
All the while, Haaland prowled around on the halfway line looking menacing. Holding, charged with marking him, didn’t look comfortable at any point. He was lucky to escape a booking for a shirt tug inside the first minute – somehow referee Paul Tierney gave the decision our way – and also got the benefit of the doubt when an arm in the back of Haaland’s neck poleaxed the Norwegian and left him requiring treatment.
While you can understand why Holding wanted to stay tight to his man, there was an air of inevitability that he’d end up in the book. It came to pass four minutes before the break after another blatant shirt pull.
City dominated possession throughout – they ended the half with 58% possession – but Arsenal, after some early nerves, looked defensively compact and organised. De Bruyne had the home side’s best chance, manufacturing himself a yard of space on the edge of the box before curling just wide of Turner’s far post.
Second Half
Arteta did the sensible thing at the break and switched out Holding for Saliba. He also sent on Lokonga to give Partey a breather.
The midfielder’s first noticeable contribution was losing the ball in the middle of the pitch allowing City to break. Saliba and Tomiyasu rescued the situation as De Bruyne looked for Haaland.
There was an injury scare for Turner after he landed awkwardly after punching clear a cross. After receiving treatment, City immediately put him to the test, De Bruyne firing in a low ball from the right that the American again did well to clear.
Guardiola blinked next, changing up his right flank by taking off Lewis and Mahrez and sending on Walker and Alvarez. The Argentine partnered Haaland up top giving the City shape an air of 4-4-2.
The game was still on a knife edge at the hour mark but after Vieira had shanked an audacious volley wide, the home side finally found a cutting edge.
It started with Alvarez crashing a low drive against the post from range and after the ball was retrieved by Grealish, Ake found the net with a low effort that was bent around Saliba and just inside the post. Credit where it’s due, It was a tidy finish from the defender.
If at first, you don't succeed, try again 👏#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/v5PKOUrqSt
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 27, 2023
Arteta responded immediately by sending on Martinelli and Zinchenko for Trossard and Tierney. There was a sudden sense of urgency and Nketiah was inches from tapping home only for Laporte to deflect a Xhaka cross out of his path for a corner.
The manager’s final throw of the dice saw Odegaard replace Saka and signalled a prolonged period of Arsenal probing that predominantly focused down Martinelli’s left. The Brazilian buzzed around forcing his way through gaps and trying little cutbacks but didn’t quite find a killer pass.
A late goal would have secured a replay at the Emirates but City kept the Gunners at bay and sealed their place in the fourth round. Arteta will take heart from the performance; there’s much to build on ahead of two encounters in the league.
The sheer drop in quality from that Partey for Lokonga sub was quite scary
It seems Caicedo has made his feelings clear after watching that
Out of topic. For the sake of our premier league tittle challenge, I hope Sp*rs beat mancity next week or at least draw. While hoping we get 3 points vs Everton.
I think that was the plan from Mikel to show the drop in quality without Partey
I don’t get why you think Mikel needs to do that, as if he and Edu don’t already know all this. He doesn’t need to go to Edu etc and say “Lokonga can’t replace Partey”. Edu isn’t an idiot, he knows this.
Arteta change in pressing tactics didn’t help Sambi , which worked so well for partey . Sambi took ten minutes to settle and was then ok
Lokonga didn’t even play bad but the drop was so noticeable.
Not a bad display given the oppo and our starting line-up. Would have kept Partey on given the effect he has on matches. We have a chance in the PL against them playing our first team.
With a bruised rib, would have been risky.
I bruised a rib recently. Took a couple of weeks at least to get over. Not much to be done other than pain killers. Fingers crossed he heals up quickly.
Arsenal controlled the game with Partey on the pitch. Sambi ceded the midfield. Arsenal can win with 90 mins of Partey/Xhaka. COYG!
and Odegaard.
Lots of positives to take from that match. Contained City, and especially Haaland, pretty well on their home turf, maintained fluency in the team with several changes in the lineup, and generally moved the ball and attacked well throughout the match.
Truth be told, this was probably a chance for both teams to probe and test their counter-parts, and I think how we managed this game will give us confidence going into the Premier League ties.
Honestly,not too bothered about that one. Glad Mikel didn’t go full strength, knowing we play them in a couple of weeks.
But loved the way we dealt with the De Brune and Haaland threat. Bodes well for the future.
Btw, Turner is not a bad option to have as a second choice GK. Top lad.
I thought Turner was excellent tonight, quick off his line, decisive on crosses and generally decent with the ball at his feet. As much as I love Ramsdale, I’m delighted with Turner as backup
I do not agree 100% with your assessment, perhaps 86%. Sometimes I fear a striker kicks the ball off his feet. The timing of what he does with the ball at his feet can be improved.
Thought it was great work from our defence and midfield to smother De Bruyne today. Haaland was tougher to control, but generally quite well managed. Only problem is that he only really needs that one chance and will be nuisance for the full 90, so we’ll definitely need to keep a close eye on him when we meet in the league. Like you say though, a good test run that will give us a solid idea of what to expect in the next game. COYG!
It was wise of Mikel not to show his full hands. We tested ourselves against Haaland today and I am sure our defenders learned something from this encounter that will help when we meet in the league soon.
Whereas, they didn’t get the chance to test themselves against our inversion and Odegaard-Saka link-up. We still got more up our sleeves for the home league encounter, I feel. Would be an interesting one.
Felt like a scouting mission today. Think we’ll beat them in the prem
Cannot win every game but I thought we could have defended the goal better.
Also, if we’re being totally realistic, I don’t think we have the squad depth to compete on so many fronts this season. There’s only so much we can run Saka into the ground before he starts wearing down, and concentrating on the bigger targets of the Premier League and potentially Europa League is probably smarter in the long run.
I think I’m already over this result.
So mad how Tierney was one of our most important players last season.
And now we lose a whole dimension when he plays.
We got good really fast.
To be fair I think you can expect guys who haven’t played 90 mins for ages to be a bit rusty.
Its more than rust. I love Tierney but the technical drop in quality compared to Zinchenko was quite startling for me anyway. 10-20 years ago KT would have been one of the best in the world. Fbs are expected to do such different things now,
I think MA will use the loss to push the team harder
I think Mikel will also realise who is going to do him a job and who isn’t.
Sambi – I just think he needs to move on now
Holding – Just not quite at the level
Tierney – Love him but the drop down is big
Turner – Yeah, he can defo do a job
Trossard – I like it. Let’s see more
Vieira – Just needs to get involved more and he needs to get out his comfort zone with his passes
I really loved what I saw of Trossard. And Turner was solid in the back. Vieira is getting there. But disappointed with how much of a difference replacing Partey with Lakonga made. Understandable decision but it made a noticeable difference.
Pretty much agree with all of these assessments @Johnny. I’d say though that Holding is adequate starting against lower/mid table opposition, and does a decent enough job as the third CB when defending a one-goal advantage late into a game. Against Haaland though… ooof.
While Holding was on the pitch, clean sheet.
I was proud of Holding.
@Eric @TheArsenal – agreed on both points. Apologies if me post came across as being negative on Rob. I was actually (albeit clumsily) trying to point out that he’s valuable in this squad. Against Haaland, Rob had to walk that fine line between defending hard and committing a foul all the way through the first half – consequently he took a booking (classic “took one for the team”) but prevented him from even taking a shot on target.
Could be I’m projecting, but I thought Holding only doing one half had been the plan all along.
Haaland is such a threat that you can’t have somebody worrying if they’re gonna get a second yellow.
Holding didn’t let Haaland do much, picked up a yellow, and almost KO’d the motherfucker as a bonus.
In the second half, a slightly battered Haaland went up against a fresh, cardless Saliba.
That’s how a big club should use someone like Holding.
Tierney is top quality. He only lacks game time. Hope Zinchenko doesn’t get injured. If he does, all I will worry about is Tierney’s ability to stay injury free. Three consecutive games, Tierney will play at a level close to Zinchenko’s level.
Tierney is a top quality traditional LB.
But he doesn’t have the dexterity, creativity or passing range to do that Zinchenko does IMHO.
Tierney is a fantastic player but doesn’t seem to be able to do the midfield thing like Zinchenko. At least not at the moment.
I think holding will do a good job against any team who hasn’t a world class striker. same goes with Tierney. agree regarding sambi. his confidence is beyond repair probably at arsenal.
I actually think he’d be perfect for a team like Brighton.
I’m guessing we’ve tried that one though.
Not a bad player at all.
Holding was good against Haarland.
KT the tactics are different, KT had to stay back to contain Mahrez , oleg z. Didn’t have to worry about that today . As kdb played inside right.
Arteta unnecessary change in tactics didn’t help Sambi and put under more pressure.
What result?
it was OK. I’d go with a few positives rather than lots. the second half served as a stark reminder that if we lose partey for any kind of sustained period then we’re as good as done in terms of competing for the title. as for the few positives we didn’t lose anyone to injury or suspension, turner was solid and martinelli looked somewhere near his best which hasn’t always been the case recently. but, with all that said, involvement in one less competition is probably a blessing anyway. I truly believe our first 11 would win the league from… Read more »
Not happy with the second half…After half time, I tot we only have 10 players who wants to play and itching to get involved. We certainly looked a different team after Partey was rested. Elneny is not as good but is an adequate replacement for Partey. With Europa knockout matches coming up soon, and with him currently out injured, I believe its key that a DM/Box-to-box midfielder is brought in before the Jan window closes as a partner/cover for him. IMO while an upgrade or like-for-like replacement for Partey is maybe difficult to obtain in the current window, an upgrade… Read more »
Arsenal controlled the game with Partey on the pitch. Sambi changed the game in City’s favor. Arsenal can win with 90 mins of Partey/Xhaka
Unlucky to lose tonight. It’s a shame we weren’t able to do the double this season.
Could still do a double with the Europa league, that would be cooler than that same old FA cup double, been there done that
I hope Partey substitution was pre planned….
No it wasn’t. Rib injury.
We weren’t bad but we didn’t quite have what it takes to beat City tonight. Let’s focus on the PL and EL from here.
COYG!
I hate loosing but it isn’t the worst thing going out of the cup and at the same time showing abu dhabi they won’t catch us in the league.
COYG!! We move!!
iffed. Not disheartened. Love what I saw, assuming Edu saw that too – a clear proof: Lokonga is so NOT the answer. Ceded control of the midfield once Partey left. Pressure came. Without the ball he’s positionally lost. Stood in no man’s land instead of closing Ake down. The goal was almost inevitable. Need to get caicedo for a quality back up for partey. Can’t get a better chance to win the league.
I can’t remember ever enjoying a loss as much as this. I don’t get to watch many games. Very impressed with us. Felt like Arteta treated it a bit like a pre-season game, trying a few options. Haaland was pretty anonymous second half against our first choice CBs. Matty Turner was great. Trossard looked good. Partey is amazing. What it shows to the Owners (Arteta’s plan?) We need a DM.
Somehow, I loved the way Arsenal played tonight. First time I am still happy even after losing
With Elneny crocked and many games on the horizon both domestically and in Europe, we will need more cover for Partey ideally. Sambi unfortunately doesn’t cut the mustard as DMF. Keeps backing away from opponents, doesn’t win many duels and positionally looks suspect. He’s better on the ball but still looks short of confidence, understandably.
Not bad at all. Sambi doesn’t cut it as dm. And Viera isn’t yet ready for these tough games. Saka missed Odegaard badly. Heartening performance considering we never had our full strength side out together. I’m disappointed we lost, but still pretty satisfied.
With Elneny out and many games on the horizon both domestically and in Europe, we will need more cover for Partey ideally. Sambi unfortunately doesn’t cut the mustard as DMF. Keeps backing away from opponents, doesn’t win many duels and positionally looks suspect. He’s better on the ball but still looks short of confidence, understandably
I’ve never cared less about going out of the FA Cup. I’ve forgotten about it already.
Now we go hell for leather for the title and Europa League. Game on.
FA what?
It was a close match – closer than I expected after seeing the line up. It was the lowest on our scale of preference. Somehow, I am glad we didn’t get to draw. The big one comes in about 19 days times at The Fortress. I hope everyone is fit and firing. We should nick that one.
Miffed. Not disheartened. Love what I saw, assuming Edu saw that too – a clear proof: Lokonga is so NOT the answer. Ceded control of the midfield once Partey left. Pressure came. Without the ball he’s positionally lost. Stood in no man’s land instead of closing Ake down. The goal was almost inevitable. Need to get caicedo for a quality back up for partey. Can’t get a better chance to win the league.
Awful, rubbish game, but at least we held our own for most of it. On this showing we’re quite capable of taking at least 3 points off City in the two PL head to heads.
Arteta paid the price for not going out with a full-strength team from the start. We never really looked like scoring.
The title is all that matters this season: f**k the FA Cup.
I think the team city put out shows that they fear us whereas Arteta was happy to ring the changes.
Sambi ain’t it
Kept backing away from opponents leaving many gaps, especially against a side like City. We need cover for DMF if Elneny’s injury is serious.
His positioning and defensive ability in general is poor, but i think he is alot better on the ball than people credit him for i just think he is low on confidence.
Not at TP5 level, but few are. I think he’s good enough and we can trust him when we don’t play city and pool
Vieira ain’t either.
He was hiding, never in a good position, afraid of taking any responsibility.
A lack of confidence cannot explain everything. He ain’t it sadly!
Agreed he has looked lost any time he’s played this season
The difference between Lokonga and Partey is huge. Lokonga is a good passer but lacks positioning. Now we can focus on epl and Europa league. COYG
If that pass is sideways or back….
A decent percentage, now even more confident that our regular starters will put them away next time we meet.
Can see why we are looking for cover with Partey, looked a lot more vulnerable in the second half.
Are definitely sure that Partey was just rested? I pray he’s not injured 🙏
This is actually one of the happiest 1-0 losses I’ve watched for us. I know that sounds crazy and obviously I don’t want to lose and would love us to have got through. But we made 6 changes to our line up against a very strong city team, away from home….and we looked good. We didn’t look like we didn’t belong being competitive against a club that’s won 3 of the last 4 league titles. I’ve seen us get run ragged before v City and leave 4/5-0 worse off. If anything, this has given me more confidence. COYG!
Meh. We played pretty well considering we were playing a full strength city team. Not too fussed that we’re out, full concentration on the league now.
Sambi isn’t our quality, and I hate to say it but neither is KT. Which is a shame because he’s a lovely guy, always puts in 100%.
We DEFINITELY need someone else as Partey backup before the window closes.
Meh. We played pretty well considering we were playing a full strength city team. Not too fussed that we’re out, full concentration on the league now.
Sambi isn’t our quality, and I hate to say it but neither is KT. Which is a shame because he’s a lovely guy, always puts in 100%.
We DEFINITELY need someone else as Partey backup before the window closes.
Meh. We played pretty well considering we were playing a full strength city team. Not too fussed that we’re out, full concentration on the league now.
Sambi isn’t our quality, and I hate to say it but neither is KT. Which is a shame because he’s a lovely guy, always puts in 100%.
We DEFINITELY need someone else as Partey backup before the window closes.
City are equivalent to the Djokovic… bloody boringly efficient
Close result which is a credit to our players but probably just too many changes from the strongest line up to push us over the line tonight.
There’s no direct read across to the PL games to come against City, however the winners of this one – whichever way it went – were going to get some confidence boost from it. We’ll see how much difference, if any at all, that makes in a few weeks.
Caicedo just posted on Instagram, asking to be let go.
This result means nothing. Says a lot that Guardiola was weary enough to put out his best team. Says a lot too that Arteta was bold enough to rotate. Says a lot again that against a rotated Arsenal side, City were employing time delay tactics to get over the line.
I see us spanking them in the league.
And why am I still always getting moderated 😪
Good performance tonight, sorry great performance. It was a pity that we couldn’t have took one of the chances in the first half. I still think we need a striker if Jesus isn’t going to be fit. Eddie was so isolated until Martinelli came on. My only complaint was Lakonga was passing backwards. A bit like last year when he could have looked for the forward ball. Still think he is a good player but I think he should go out on loan.
Sambi doesn’t seem to be adding anything new to his game.
He doesn’t seem to have fast-twitch muscles or the urge to duel for any ball.
Love the FA Cup but can absolutely live with this result.
It creates some breathing space in a crowded fixture list and the performance bodes well for the league encounters. Onwards!
Perfect result in the overall scheme of things. Out of cup which is a distraction bearing in mind what’s at stake in the league. A narrow loss which doesn’t destroy confidence and I think we have the measure of City with our first choice starting lineup if we don’t suffer any more injuries by the time we face them in the league.