Manchester City vs Arsenal summary: Aké goal, score, goals, highlights | Qatar World Cup 2022
Manchester City vs Arsenal, FA Cup fourth round
Full-time: Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
It has indeed petered out for Arsenal and it's Manchester City who are through to the FA Cup fifth round thanks to Nathan Aké's goal!
Will Arsenal be disappointed to be out of the FA Cup? Of course. But they have bigger fish to fry this season, if we’re being honest.
The Gunners edged the first half, in terms of opportunities at least. Debutant Leandro Trossard was lively down the left and set up chances for Nketiah and Tomiyasu, while the Belgian tested City keeper Stefan Ortega with a low drive. The hosts were flat in the opening 45 minutes and created precious little, with Kevin De Bruyne’s beautiful curling strike the only effort which even remotely threatened the Arsenal goal.
There were few opportunities at either end in the second period but Julián Álvarez made an almost instant impact after coming onto the field, firing a low strike against the post. From the rebound, Jack Grealish threaded a pass through to Aké, who was the calmest man in the Etihad as he curled into the bottom corner in slow motion.
Could Arsenal find a way back into it? No, was the short answer. City controlled possession and never really looked in danger of surrendering their advantage, apart from a five-minute flurry from the Gunners as full-time approached. Gabriel Martinelli was in the thick of the action in that spell but Arsenal failed to create any opportunities to level.
The ‘master’ defeats the ‘pupil’ but will that still be the case come the end of the season?
MOLLY DARLINGTON / REUTERS
Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Can't argue with Pep. A superb defensive display from Aké, who kept the in-form Bukayo Saka quiet all game. And on top of that, the Dutchman scored the winning goal with the coolest finish you're likely to see.
City into the next round and will take some stopping.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "We were definitely better in the second half"
And, finally, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who has been speaking to BBC Sport and was full of praise for his goalscorer:
“We were definitely better in the second half. Arsenal have taken a step forward. It was a tight game and you realise how good a side they are. I did not expect the approach from them – man-to man – it was difficult to build up but we beat the team at the top of the league and are in the next round.
“What a season he Nathan Akeé is playing. He controlled one of the toughest opponents in the Premier League because Saka is in an incredible moment.
"He is really good in the duels in the box, defending the far post and set pieces is an extra bonus. He is an exceptional guy, there was a period where he didn’t play and he never complained once.”
10 Premier League teams in, 10 out
Arsenal's defeat means that there are only 10 Premier League clubs left in the FA Cup. That's out of the 31 that remain.
Manchester City will obviously be one of the favourites for the competition but who are their main challengers likely to be? Neighbours United have a favourable draw at home to Reading on Saturday, while Spurs also face lower-league opposition in Preston North End (away from home) but they're not in great form. Speaking of teams not in great form, Liverpool travel to Brighton on Sunday.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: "One action changed the game"
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, also speaking to ITV, lamented his team's inability to make more of their threatening attacks:
"Really disappointed. I think we could have got much more out of the game. The action decided the game but it was a tight game and that one action changed it all. I think we could have dealt with it much better in terms of our discipline when the ball was in the box.
"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 is really difficult to win against this team but we went head to head with them.
"In the big moments, in big matchesyou have to make the difference. That is how you win these games."
Nathan Aké: "It was the first goal I ever scored with my right foot!"
Matchwinner Nathan Aké has been speaking to UK broadcaster ITV:
"In the second half we were a little better and played more our game. It was tough, they pressured us high. We had to use Erling more than usual."
On his goal: "It was from a pass from Jack. It was the first one I ever scored with my right foot so pleased with that.
"Especially after a tough period, two good games before this one. It's good to carry on this one. It gives us confidence for the next game.
"There's still more to come. They are a very tough team. We stayed strong and didn't concede."
Manchester City vs Arsenal reaction
Goalscorer and player of the match Nathan Aké up first!
Zinchenko crunches into Silva and is maybe a bit lucky not to see a second yellow card...
About a minute to go for Arsenal. This is petering out for them. Can they salvage anything?
A Gundogan sees yellow too for wasting said time. Not that he'll be bothered.
A yellow card for Zinchenko as City waste a bit of time...
Just when it seemed as if Arsenal were building up a head of steam, City have started to take the sting out of the game once more.
Four minutes of added time.
Crucial from Ortega again! Martinelli is the architect once more, skipping past Walker and into the box, where he crosses is half cut-out and Ortega pounces on the loose ball with Odegaard lurking.
Martinelli very nearly in! Xhaka plays a slide-rule pass in for the Brazilian but Ortega races off his line to intercept. Oh, and he was offside anyway.
Definitely a better spell now for the Gunners. Can they make it count?
The corner is half cleared back to Martinelli, who races into the box and is on the goal line just a couple of yards from goal. He can't beat Ortega from an impossible angle though.
A bit better from Arsenal there as Zinchenko looks to get Martinelli in behind...corner!
A second strike from distance from Álvarez! The first one struck the post and led to the goal and this one stings the palms of Turner.
A rare venture into the City half from Arsenal. Saliba spots a great run from Martinelli but the Frenchman's pass isn't quite accurate enough and Walker deals with the danger.
Arsenal really need to flick a switch here, there's nothing happening for them in attack.
A free-kick for City in a dangerous position drifts all the way out of the box to Álvarez, who curls a cross towards Matt Turner, who fists another one away under pressure. He looks to have recovered from that knock he took earlier.
Arsenal have upped their pressing a bit, City will have to be careful as they almost got themselves into a muddle there trying to play out from the back.
That's Saka's last involvement as he's hooked for Martin Odegaard.
For City, Bernardo Silva replaces De Bruyne.
A moment of promise from Saka for almost the first time in the match. He gets to the bye-line and sticks in a low cross but Laporte just gets to it ahead of Nketiah.
City are going to be content just to pass the ball about a bit, which is what they're doing at the moment. The onus very much on Arsenal to change something. They've not offered much of a threat in this second half.
Martinelli and Zinchenko replace Trossard and Tierney as Arsenal look for a way back.
Almost an immediate response from Arsenal as Xhaka whips a brilliantly ball into the box and Laporte does just enough to nudge it away with Nketiah lurking!
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL MANCHESTER CITY! AKE!
And the change has paid off!
Álvarez smashes one off the post from 20 yards and it bounces out to Grealish, who feeds a neat pass through to Ake in the box. The defender has a lot of work to do but calmly places a brilliant strike into the bottom corner.
Cool as a cucumber.
A change of City for City with Álvarez playing close to Haaland and De Bruyne hanging off the right.
A sight of goal for Vieira from the edge of the box but he slices his volley a couple of yards wide.
First changes from Pep.
Julián Álvarez is on for Mahrez, Walker replaces Lewis.
Haaland then barges into Turner as a high ball goes harmlessly out of play. Those City boys are just roughouse thugs, aren't they? They need to learn to play football...
And they immediately test him! De Bruyne gets round the back and sticks in a dangerous low cross which Turner does well to divert it away from danger.
Turner is going to try to play on, at least for now. I'd be shooting on sight if I were City.
Arsenal might have a problem in goal. Turner flew out from his goal to punch away a cross a minute or two ago and he looks to have hurt his shoulder in the process. Luckily, regular number one Aaron Ramsdale is on the bench.
A rare bit of space and time in the Arsenal box for Rico Lewis, who is under no pressure and has Haaland in the middle. But he rushes his cross and sticks it in the side netting.
Great defending from Tomiyasu to snuff out the threat of Haaland, who was looking to get round the side of Saliba. De Bruyne's pass, unusually, wasn't great and let Arsenal off the hook.
Very interested to see how Saliba attempts to take on Haaland. Holding basically tried to fight the Norwegian, I suspected the Frenchman will be rather more subtle.
City kick off the second half!
We're going to see a couple of changes for Arsenal for the second half.
Holding's yellow card has cost him his spot in the team for the second period, William Saliba is his replacement.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is on for Thomas Partey.
Manchester City and Arsenal's first meeting of the season
It's unusual that for two clubs' first meeting of the season to come in the cup in January.
The reason? Manchester City's first Premier League game of the season against Arsenal was postponed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September.
The sides will face each other in the league on 15 February in London and on 26 April in Manchester.
Half-time: Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal
A cagey-ish first half with flashes of danger.
You'd say that Arsenal have put out the 'weaker' team but they've arguably been the stronger of the two so far. Kevin De Bruyne curled a great effort just wide but Gunners keeper Matt Turner hasn't had a save to make. At the other end, debutant Leandro Trossard has looked very lively, creating chances for Tomiyasu and Nketiah as well as testing Stefan Ortega himself.
The battle between Erling Haaland and Rob Holding has been an interesting sub-plot and the defender's yellow card just before half-time could have a bearing on the second half.
Laporte-gate is over. He's worked out how to tie his laces and is on.
In fact, we're going to continue before Laporte comes on. Why wouldn't you have your shin guards and boots on?
Pep isn't waiting until half-time to make the change. Aymeric Laporte is coming on...although he's taking forever to get ready, Stones limps off.
John Stones has gone down and that looks like he's done his hamstring. It'll be a surprise if he's able to play after half-time.
Two minutes of added time to be played.
And we've already seen the effect of that yellow card as Holding allows Haaland to hold the ball up and roll it away to a teammate under little pressure. A chance of tact from the defender.
Remember how I said Holding was in for a long night? How Haaland was ready for his next battle with the defender? Well, that next battle has seen Holding emerge from it with a yellow card for pulling the City man to the ground. Tightrope.
A half-hearted shout for a penalty for the visitors as Nketiah tries to pounce on a loose ball in the City box. Ortega nips in just in time to get the ball away.
A first sight of goal for Haaland! A ricochet sends the ball over the top of the Arsenal defence and Haaland is onto it. He looks to have beaten Gabriel for pace but the Brazilian does just enough to put the striker under pressure as he tries to lob Turner.
A delicious piece of footwork from De Bruyne to take him away from Partey in the Arsenal half. It didn't lead to anything but it did the job and looked fantastic.
Haaland is OK to continue, by the way. Ready for the next battle with Holding.
Close from Nketiah!
That's far too easy for Arsenal. I mentioned before that Lewis wasn't a 'conventional' right-back and Trossard again takes at advantage. He breezes away down the left and crosses for Nketiah, who prods one narrowly wide.
Best chances for the visitors so far.
Rodri, a pass master. Not there though, as he tries a simple pass out to Ake and the ball bounces off his foot and out of play as if it were a trampoline.
Haaland has stayed down and weirdly players from both teams have all gone over to their respective benches for a mini team-talk.
Another tussle between Holding and Haaland ends with the defender clattering big Erling on the back of his head with his elbow. P
lay on, no card. Maybe a bit lucky there.
Bukayo Saka has been in superb form of late but we've not seen much of him so far. He tries to get round the outside of Nathan Ake for the first time but the Dutchman shuts the door in his face. Great defending.
Close from Kevin De Bruyne!
That would've been a beauty from the Belgian! Mahrez cuts into the box from the right and has an effort blocked but it falls to DeBruyne, who curls a left-footer inches wide of the post!
Plenty of early action for Matt Turner in the Arsenal goal. He's hardly touched it with his hands but had plenty of involvement with his feet, being forced to come and clear a few times as City look to play in behind Arsenal.
Trossard shot saved!
That's more like it in terms of attacking play! Trossard picks up possession just outside the City box, jinks outside Lewis and fires one across goal, only to be denied by Ortega.
Gabriel takes over marking Haaland for a moment and does well to get his body in the way to prevent Gundogan from playing the striker through on goal.
A bit of a stalemate at the moment as City are content to pass it around at the back and Arsenal aren't letting them progress the ball up the field.
Anyone know how to play chess?
A rare start for Fabio Vieira and it looks as if he has lead in his boots as he zooms a short pass past Saka and out of play.
Holding looking to make a nuisance of himself at the other end as Arsenal win a free-kick. Xhaka floats it in and it's headed away as far as Saka, whose shot from a promising position is blocked.
Arsenal playing with a fire a bit as they allow Gundogan to run from inside his own half into the their box totally unchallenged. He lays if off to Grealish, whose cross is well claimed by Turner.
What did I say about Holding...?
He misjudges a long through-ball and Haaland again looks to be clean through but Turner rushes from his goal to half-clear. The ball falls to the Norwegian who acrobatically hooks it over his head and Turner but Tomiyasu gets back to clear with something to spare.
Rico Lewis starts at right-back tonight but he's hardly been there...He'll help out in midfield although Trossard has twice got away down his side of the field.
The first chance falls to Tomiyasu! Trossard does well to pull ball back to the Japanese on the edge of the box, he gets a good strike on it but it's beaten away by Ortega.
Risky, risk stuff from Arsenal keeper Matt Turner, who plays a pass into midfield but gives it straight to City. It's worked to Rodri on the edge of the box but the Spaniard scoops in over.
Rob Holding is going to be for a long night against Erling Haaland. The two battle for a long ball and it looks as if the City striker is going to get away through on goal but he's punished for holding the defender's shirt.
Game on! Arsenal get us underway!
The teams are out!
Kickoff is almost upon us!
Who have you got?
A matter of minutes until kick-off and the big question would normally be not 'Will Erling Haaland score' but 'How many will Erling Haaland score?'
He faces a seriously tough proposition against Arsenal tonight though!
You can take the man out of Scotland...
Kieran Tierney returns to the Arsenal line-up and, like any good Scotsman, is ready to tackle the chilly temperatures in a short-sleeved shirt.
Manchester City vs Arsenal: last five meetings
Five out of five for Manchester City...
BUT! That was the old Arsenal. This is the new Arsenal.
January 2022, Premier League: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City
August 2021, Premier League: Manchester City 5-0 Arsenal
February 2021, Premier League: Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City
December 2020, Carabao Cup: Arsenal 1-4 Manchester City
October 2020, Premier League: Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Which club has won the FA Cup most often?
One of these two teams holds the record for FA Cup wins and it's...
Arsenal! The Gunners have lifted the trophy on 14 occasions, two more than Manchester United. Their last victory came in 2020, with half of their wins coming in the 21st century.
Manchester City lag a fair bit behind on six victories and have struggled to make their mark in the competition despite their newfound success. Their only win in the last 10 years was in the 2018-19 season, when they equalled the record for the biggest victory in an FA Cup final (6-0 v Watford).
Arsenal dressing to (hopefully for them) impress
The other obligatory tweet is a dressing room shot. One of the most fascinating features of the Arsenal: All Or Nothing Netflix documentary, in my opinion, was to see what the dressing rooms are like at different grounds in England. There were one of two dark and dingy ones in that show...not tonight though.
Mikel Arteta on Pep Guardiola: "Competing against Pep won't change how important he is in my life"
The love-in continued from Arteta's side...
"I always hoped that (competing against City) was going to be the case one day and it's happening this season. That's not going to change any friendship, the moments that we have, how important he is in my life, how important he is in my profession."
"We're both willing to win and defend our clubs in any way and that's always been the case since day one. But I would prefer to do it with someone else to be fair."
Pep Guardiola on Mikel Arteta: "His influence on me was massive"
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Guardiola was glowing in his praise of Arteta and revealed that he had a hunch his former assistant might one day end up back at the Emirates:
"I had the feeling, we knew it when he was here, (about) his ability for City.I don't know my part on him but his influence on me was great, massive, so important in becoming a better manager. If I had left, Mikel would be here and he would be the best, absolutely."
"I am not a guy to say, 'no, you have to stay with me'. Everyone has dreams. We felt if one team could offer him (the chance) to be manager he would leave. I know he went to 'his' club, the team he dreams of. He's a supporter, for the fact he played there, he was a captain there. He loves the club. I remember when we were together here, when we scored goals, he'd jump a lot and celebrate - except against one team, Arsenal."
"People have to fly when they believe it is the best. Life is too short. Spend time in a place you believe suits you better."
Manchester City vs Arsenal: Pep Guardiola vs Mikel Arteta
I'm sure you'll be well aware of the history between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta. I might've made that sound sinister but it's quite the opposite, with Arteta having served as Pep's assistant at Manchester City before taking the top job at Arsenal.
This clash is always billed as 'master' vs 'pupil' (I did it myself a little earlier, how predictable) but the 'pupil' has very much had the upper hand in the Premier League this season, even if the two teams haven't yet faced each other in that competition in 2022-23. You'd imagine those games will go a long way to deciding where the trophy ends up in May.
The obligatory "we're here" tweet from Manchester City.
They look in the mood for it tonight, Arsenal are going to find it tough if City show the same pace out on the field.
PETER CZIBORRA / Action Images via Reuters
Arsenal: the 2022-23 season so far
What a season it's been so far for Arsenal! Did anyone expect them to challenge for the league title? I'd argue that not even their most ardent fan would have seen it coming, with City and Liverpool again the clear favourites. The Gunners have blown the Premier League away in the first half of the season, racking up an incredible 50 points from their first 19 fixtures. City are the only team to have ever reached 100 points in a Premier League season back in 2017-18, could Mikel Arteta's men become the second?
The Londoners have dropped points in only three matches: a defeat to Manchester United and draws against Southampton and Newcastle. Not even an injury to striker Gabriel Jesús has derailed them, with Eddie Nketiah stepping up to the plate after having to bide his time on the bench.
Arsenal team to play Manchester City
And here come the Gunners!
Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Vieria, Trossard; Nketiah.
Mikel Arteta makes quite a few changes (i'd say five of the 11 would start if this were a league game), with the Premier League top priority.
Manchester City team to play Arsenal
No Ederson in goal for Manchester City! And another start for young right-back Rico Lewis.
Ortega Moreno; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodrigo, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.
PHIL NOBLE / REUTERS
Manchester City: the 2022-23 season so far
It's been all about THAT MAN Erling Haaland for Manchester City this season. The big Norwegian has scored 31 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions this season, including 25 in 19 Premier League games. Messi and Ronaldo eat your hearts out.
That said, there has been some discussion about whether his presence has actually improved Manchester City as a team (you can decide that one for yourselves). Pep Guardiola's men have had some big wins at the Etihad this season but have also slipped up more than you would've expected, with a home defeat to Brentford and a League Cup elimination at the hands of Southampton the lowlights.
After their 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester United a couple of weeks ago, Pep said he "didn't care about the Premier League", which is maybe just as well considering they're five points off the top of the table having played one game more. And who are the league leaders...?
Arsenal in the house!
Arsenal have arrived! Thank Goodness for that. We were all wondering if they could be bothered with this one in the freezing cold...
It's been a superb season for the Gunners so far, which we'll touch on more in just a few moments, and a win tonight would really cement their spot as England's top team at the moment.
ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP
Arsenal in the 2022-23 FA Cup
Arsenal's third-round tie is what you'd consider to be a classic FA Cup clash. The Gunners were drawn away to Oxford United of English League One but made sure not to slip on any banana skins as they disposed of their lower-league opponents 3-0.
They did have to be patient though, as it took them until after the hour mark to open the scoring through Mohamed Elneny before Eddie Nketiah netted twice.
MOLLY DARLINGTON / REUTERS
Manchester City in the 2022-23 FA Cup
This is just Manchester City's second game in the 2022-23 FA Cup but they've been handed a really tough start, with ties against Chelsea and now Arsenal.
Not that that bothered them in the third round as they wiped the floor with Graham Potter's side at the Etihad. Riyad Mahrez scored twice (including this penalty), Julián Álvarez also netted from the spot, with Phil Foden adding another in a 4-0 win.
Manchester weather in...Manchester for Manchester City vs Arsenal
That was a lot of Manchesters.
'A chilly one'. You could probably say this about any game played in the UK between November and March.
Including this one.
Arsenal team news
Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson and Mohamed Elneny remain sidelined for the Gunners. But new signing Leandro Trossard could be handed his first start for the club after coming off the bench late on in the win over Manchester United last weekend.
With that news in mind, my esteemed colleague Kieran has written this lovely piece about how Manchester City could line up for this game.
How many will he get right? We'll find out soon enough!
Manchester City team news
While we wait for the line-ups, let's take a look at who is or isn't likely to be involved.
On the City side, Ruben Dias has returned from injury but Pep Guardiola may wait to start the Portuguese defender in the heart of his defence. Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish could join Erling Haaland in attack, but Phil Foden is also waiting in the wings.
It's dawned on me that you may be looking for a way to watch this game (don't say I'm not good to you).
We have got you covered! If you're in the United States, this is how.
What time does Manchester City vs Arsenal kick off?
Friday’s clash gets underway at 9pm local time in England, that’s 3pm ET and 12pm PT. Over the course of the next 90 minutes, I (Roddy) will be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty, plenty more.
Are you ready? Let’s do this!
Hello and welcome to Manchester City vs Arsenal!
It’s one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious cup competitions and we’ve got two of its biggest hitters coming face to face in the fourth round! It’s the master vs the pupil as Pep Guardiola’s MHello and welcome to Manchester City vs Arsenal!anchester City take on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
This will be good, mark my words!