FA Cup: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City, 5 talking points

In the second FA Cup semi-final of the weekend, it was Arsenal who prevailed to reach the final of the cup. A 2-1 victory over top-four rivals Manchester City means Arsenal reached the FA Cup final for a record 20^th time.

In a match with several attacking star players on the pitch, it was world class striker Sergio Agüero who opened up the scoring by bettering Petr Cech in a 1v1 in the 62^nd minute. The lead only survived for 9 minutes as Nacho Monreal volleyed home an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross in the 71^st minute.

Things would stay level for the 90 minutes, forcing the juggernauts into extra time.

The tie would finally be decided by Alexis Sánchez in the 100^th minute as he latched on to a loose ball in the 6-yard box. The goal sends Arsenal into their third FA Cup final in four years, giving Arsène Wenger the chance to become the most successful man in the competition ever.

Here are the biggest talking points from the game.

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#5 Jesus Navas is a natural at RB

The Spaniard was the only shining light in City’s 2-1 defeat

Playing against one of the best wingers in the world is no mean feat, especially when you’re not naturally a defender. Throughout the season, Pep Guardiola has struggled to find a competent right-back. Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta are both players on the wrong side of their 30s and showing clear signs of deterioration.

Jesus Navas has seemingly answered Pep’s prayers, the Spaniard was the only shining light in City’s 2-1 defeat. Navas defended exceptionally 1v1 and even 2v1 when Monreal overlapped past him. In attack, Navas whipped in several dangerous crosses, in the process he provided the width needed to draw out Arsenal’s auxiliary centre backs.

#4 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is Wenger’s most dangerous man

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain won 100% of his tackles

Once again we’re leaving an Arsenal game with the conclusion that not Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil is Arsenal’s most effective player, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is. In his 105 minute cameo, the Englishman completed six successful dribbles, won an aerial challenge, won 100% of his tackles and provided an assist for Nacho Monreal.

This is all from a man that’s only played right-back twice in his career. It’s outstanding what he’s been able to achieve in such a high-profile match in treacherous times. The 23-year old spent the whole game bombing up and down the right flank, taking on players as well as marking Leroy Sane out the match.

In a new position, Ox excelled and provided the goods when his teammates needed him most. Bravo sir.

#3 David Silva goes off injured

Who’s to know whether City could have penetrated Arsenal’s back three if the playmaker had played the whole 120 minutes

In the 23^rd minute, Manchester City lost the soul and heartbeat of their attacking play as David Silva hobbled off with a hamstring problem. The little magician has been pivotal to Pep’s implementation of tiki-taka at the Etihad. David Silva has created 74 goalscoring chances this season, more than anyone else in his team.

Once the Spaniard went off, City’s early dominance and attacking incisiveness went with him.

He’s the conductor of everything good City produces and once he was subbed off, all creative duties were laid upon the shoulders of Kevin De Bruyne. As good as the German is, he’s not a player good at breaking down low-blocks, he’s better on the transition.

In fact, David Silva is better in both departments. Who’s to know whether City could have penetrated Arsenal’s back three if the playmaker had played the whole 120 minutes.

#2 Three at the back improves Arsenal’s solidity

Rob Holding completed 77% of his passes

Ever since Antonio Conte brought three at the back to England, a number of high-profile teams have adopted the tactic. Arsene Wenger has added his team to the list and enjoyed a 100% win rate with it.

In the first half, Arsenal resembled a team still adjusting to a new system, there were reports that players were arguing about who was meant to be tracking who. Despite their unfamiliarity with the formation, their positioning nullified Manchester City’s free-flowing attack.

Manchester City were restricted to just 3 shots on target throughout the 120 minutes. For all of their 65% possession City could not find the holes to exploit in Arsenal’s compact shape. The new formation forced players like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to sit in midfield whilst out of possession, this cut off passing lanes to the forwards.

With three competent defenders like Rob Holding, Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista, Arsenal have all the tools to successfully carry on using the 3-4-3 system for the rest of the season.

#1 Manchester City’s wrongly disallowed goal

On the 40th minute, Pep Guardiola’s men were robbed of a legitimate goal

On the 40^th minute, Pep Guardiola’s men were robbed of a legitimate goal. Leroy Sane’s exquisite cross was ruled to have gone out of bounds, ruing Agüero and Sterling’s goal attempts useless. Extensive TV replays show that the whole of the ball did not cross the line, meaning play shouldn’t have been flagged and the goal should have stood.

The calls for video technology will only become louder now that another high-profile mistake has been made. The goal would have taken City into the break in the lead and firmly put them in the driver’s seat for the rest of the match. Goals change game and so do wrong disallowed ones.