After a relatively poor first half between Manchester City and Arsenal, the game came to life in what was an exciting second half and extra time as Arsenal won a semi-final at Wembley in extra time for the third time in a row.
Sergio Aguero gave City the lead when Arsenal were caught committing too many bodies forward as he dinked the ball over Petr Cech. However, the Gunners fought back and a great cross from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain found Nacho Monreal who volleyed home.
With City hitting both the post and the bar, it looked like they would come away victorious. But, Arsenal took advantage of their missed chances and Alexis Sanchez smashed the ball in from close range, sealing a 2-1 victory and a place in the final for the Gunners.
Here we take a look at the player ratings from the game:
Manchester City
Claudio Bravo – 7/10
Bravo showed why Pep Guardiola has shown faith in him as his work with his feet was second to none. He wasn’t to blame for Arsenal’s equaliser or their winner and he put in a good performance overall.
Gael Clichy – 5/10
The Frenchman did not have a big impact at all. He often allowed Oxlade-Chamberlain to deliver on the right-hand side and did not offer an awful lot going forward.
Vincent Kompany – 7/10
Kompany still doesn’t look completely match sharp. The Belgian gave away some silly fouls but man marked Giroud comfortably and gave City much more stability as he did when City played Southampton a week ago.
Nicolas Otamendi – 7/10
The Argentinian did not seem to have much involvement in the match which suggests he did his defensive duties very well. City fans will have no complaints about his performance today.
Jesus Navas – 5/10
The Spaniard had no joy going forward due to a very good performance from fellow countryman Monreal who cut out his crosses very well indeed.
Fernandinho – 6/10
The Brazilian, as he usually does, made a lot of fouls and earnt himself a yellow card. His passing was solid as usual but he certainly did not stand out for City at Wembley.
Yaya Toure – 8/10
A lot of people have said recently the 33-year old’s legs have gone, but today he showed no signs of that. The Ivorian played the whole 120 minutes and put in an unbelievable shift for his team and was Manchester City’s best player.
David Silva – 6/10
Came off early due to an injury but looked to be finding space and causing Arsenal some problems. Guardiola would have been disappointed that he had to come off.
Kevin de Bruyne – 6/10
The Belgian did not have a particularly bad game but it certainly was not one of his best. In what was a defensive display from Arsenal, he struggled to break down the three-man defence.
Leroy Sane – 6/10
Sane came up against Oxlade-Chamberlain who has been in inspired form and the semi-final was made hard for the German for that reason. Chamberlain showed phenomenal energy which meant Sane struggled even on the counter attack to get in behind Arsenal’.s defenders.
Sergio Aguero – 7/10
The Argentine scored City’s solo goal in the semi-final at Wembley. His movement was very good and he nearly found himself in behind Arsenal’s organised defence on various occasions. The one time he did get in behind, he took his chance and gave his side the lead.
Substitutions:
Raheem Sterling – 6/10
The Englishman tried his best to have an impact and got into some promising areas. However, his end-product was not there in the semi-final and he didn’t trouble Arsenal’s defence.
Fabian Delph – N/A
Delph looked to be as positive as possible but had just 11 minutes to make an impact. He nearly equalised but Bellerin blocked his effort.
Fernando – N/A
Fernando saw very little of the ball and like Delph had just 11 minutes to change the game.
Kelechi Iheanacho – N/A
He was the first ever fourth substitute in the FA cup but played a small part in the game. He had no time to make a big impact.
Arsenal
Petr Cech – 6/10
Cech made a great save to tip Toure’s shot onto the post. However, his slowness arguably sent Arsenal 1-0 down as his hesitancy to pounce once Aguero took a heavy touch allowed the Argentinian to calmly finish past him.
Rob Holding – 8/10
The Englishman had an amazing opportunity to give Arsenal the lead in stoppage time but header over. His defensive performance was very solid however, helping to minimise opportunities for Manchester City.
Laurent Koscielny – 7/10
The captain stepped up on the big stage making plenty of interceptions to help his team out. A great performance from the Frenchman.
Gabriel Paulista – 8/10
The Brazilian has struggled ever since his move to North London. But, his performance at Wembley was his best in an Arsenal shirt.
Also Read: Arsenal have answered the critics, says victorious Wenger
Nacho Monreal – 8/10
Monreal comfortably dealt with Navas and his pace and scored Arsenal’s equaliser with a good finish. The Spaniard has had an underwhelming year for the Gunners but his performance was fantastic at Wembley.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 9/10
No surprise that the Englishman was once again Arsenal’s best player and man of the match. At right wing back, Chamberlain got himself an assist for Monreal’s goal and showed defensive discipline too in a terrific performance.
Granit Xhaka – 6/10
Many people recognise Xhaka as a defensive midfielder but he isn’t. The Swiss midfielder is a player who dictates play from deep in midfield and he played that role well in the semi-final at Wembley, despite a poor first half.
Aaron Ramsey – 6/10
This was a good performance from the Welshman who looks to be back to full fitness levels again. But, his sloppy pass arguably cost Arsenal City’s first goal. Luckily it did not cost his team ultimately.
Mesut Ozil – 7/10
In the first half when Arsenal had very little of the ball, he held the ball up and spread the play well. In the second half and extra time the German gave Arsenal a great outlet on the counter attack and run himself into the ground.
Alexis Sanchez – 6/10
The Chilean did score the winning goal, but his performance was certainly not that of a match winner’s. He did not have much of an influence for the Gunners at all and lost the ball on many occasions. However, his goal was the decisive one and that is why he is regarded as one of the best players in the world.
Olivier Giroud – 5/10
The Frenchman did not have the best of performances as for most of the game when he was playing, Arsenal did not see much of the ball in attacking areas. He held the ball up well, but it seemed his replacement Welbeck was more suited to Arsenal’s game plan.
Substitutions:
Danny Welbeck – 7/10
The Englishman showed great energy when he came on for the Gunners and on two occasions nearly scored. His decision making was questionable but his work rate could not be faulted and he certainly played a part in winning the game.
Hector Bellerin – 6/10
The Spaniard came on in extra time for man of the match Oxlade-Chamberlain and continued the good work at wing back. His speed helped Arsenal counter attack and his very crucial block stopped City from equalising in extra time.
Francis Coquelin – N/A
Coquelin had absolutely no time to have an impact.
Also Read: Twitter reacts as Arsenal beat Man City 2-1 in extra time to make the FA Cup final
