for the first clash of the titans, Manchester City eliminates Arsenal and goes to the 8th finals

A point for the reigning double English champion. This Friday, as part of the 4th round of the FA Cup (the equivalent of the round of 16), Manchester City and Arsenal, respectively second and leader of the Premier League, crossed swords for the first time in the 2022-2023 season. This meeting, highly anticipated in Her Majesty’s Kingdom and more closed than many fans or observers expected, turned out in favor of the locals (1-0). Each formation will have had its period at the Etihad Stadium, where Mikel Arteta had decided to rotate, while Pep Guardiola lined up an almost typical XI.

The first half was generally to the advantage of the Gunners, who made the Mancunian enclosure shiver on several occasions. But Ortega, Ederson’s substitute in goal, held the house perfectly. First on a heavy strike from Tomiyasu (5th), then on a cross shot from Trossard, established for the first time since his arrival this winter (21st). Like Nketiah, not precise enough in front of goal (33rd), the Cityzens lacked sharpness in the last gesture.

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Haaland saw his distant acrobatic return being repelled by Tomiyasu after a hazardous exit from Turner (9th), while De Bruyne saw his curling barely graze the American’s frame. After the break, Manchester City put their foot back on the leather and gained ground against the Gunners of Saliba and Lokonga, who returned at half-time. By dint of retreating, Arsenal cracked. In the wake of a strike from Alvarez repelled by Turner’s post, Grealish served Aké back for the opener (1-0, 64th). Enough to push Arteta to call on his executives Martinelli, Zinchenko then Odegaard.

Forced to react, the Londoners also went very close to equalizing, but Laporte, who replaced Stones, injured, took the ball away from Nkatiah (67th). Despite the support of the visiting fans, Arsenal struggled to regain possession and to be dangerous. Man City timidly eliminated Arsenal, who had not lost since a League Cup night against Brighton on November 9, and joined the knockout stages of the FA Cup. See you on February 15, at the Emirates Stadium, for the second clash between Gunners and Cityzens, who now remain on 6 rank successes in this poster, this time in the Premier League.