Man City vs Arsenal LIVE score: Result from FA Cup clash as Nathan Ake nets winner
Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal: Nathan Ake slotted home in the second half to book City’s place in the fifth round
Nathan Ake proved the unlikely match-winner as Manchester City edged out title rivals Arsenal 1-0 in a tense FA Cup fourth-round tie on Friday.
The Netherlands defender steered home a low shot in the 64th minute at the Etihad Stadium as City landed the first blow in their trilogy of clashes with the Gunners over the coming months.
Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, had enjoyed the better of the first half, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard both forcing good saves from Stefan Ortega.
Yet, while much had been made of the growing touchline rivalry between City manager Pep Guardiola and his former assistant Mikel Arteta, for a seventh time in eight meetings it was ultimately the old master who prevailed.
Relive all the action from the Etihad Stadium as Man City beat Arsenal in the FA Cup:
The Arsenal gamble that’s paying off in style
When it comes to some of the most exciting players on the market, Edu no longer has to make the phone calls. The Arsenal sporting director is now taking them, as so many of the best talents and agents go to him.
They can see which way the club is headed. Declan Rice is now considering them over Chelsea and Manchester United, to go with a host of other names. Arsenal are very suddenly one of the most attractive prospects in sport.
“Suddenly” is the key word, because it makes a considerable difference from this time last year and a profound difference from Mikel Arteta’s first full season.
The Arsenal gamble that’s paying off in style
Arsenal effectively wrote off the 2020-21 season and made drastic changes to the squad, recruitment and wage structure that would sow the seeds for Mikel Arteta’s title challenge
Guardiola on why Arteta left Man City
This week’s build-up has been a trip down memory lane for Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta as they’ve been asked what it was like to work with one another.
Guardiola was also asked why City allowed Arteta to leave for Arsenal.
"I am not a guy to say, ‘no, you have to stay with me’," added Guardiola. "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 have a strong record against Arsenal
Man City have won 13 of their 16 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions under Pep Guardiola (one draw, two defeats) with the team only beating Burnley (14) more often since the manager arrived.
However, both of City’s defeats to Arsenal have come in the FA Cup with the most recent coming in the 2020 FA Cup semi-finals.
Pep Guardiola’s modesty won’t let him take credit for Mikel Arteta’s success
If Arsenal become champions, there is a case for branding it the fifth Premier League won by Pep Guardiola’s management. Mikel Arteta, after all, could be portrayed as the Frankenstein’s monster of the title race, created by Guardiola, serving as his nemesis.
Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant when Manchester City posted 100 points in a season. At the half-way stage now, his Arsenal have 50. Guardiola tutored him, mentored him and encouraged him, but did not keep him by his side.
“Mikel wanted to leave,” he rationalised. “What do you want me to say? Chain him here and say, ‘you don’t leave’.”
That Arteta’s heart was at Arsenal, the club he captained, was apparent in his time at the Etihad Stadium when City found the net. “Always he jumps and celebrates, except against one team,” Guardiola recalled.
Pep Guardiola’s modesty won’t let him take credit for Mikel Arteta’s success
Former mentor heaps praise on Arsenal manager
Arteta on challenging Man City for trophies
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he always hoped that the club could challenge Pep Guardiola’s prolific Man City side for trophies and is happy that this is the case this season.
"I always hoped that was going to be the case one day and it’s happening this season," he said, "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. I would prefer to do it with someone else to be fair."
Guardiola on Arteta
Pep Guardiola comes up against his old assistant tonight when Mikel Arteta brings his Arsenal team to the Etihad Stadium for an FA Cup fourth round tie.
Guardiola spoke in the build up to tonight’s clash about Arteta and says that he always thought the Spaniard would make a good manager.
"I had the feeling, we knew it when he was here, (about) his ability for City," said Guardiola on Thursday. "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."
Pep Guardiola recalls moment he knew Mikel Arteta would thrive as manager
Pep Guardiola has recalled the moment he knew Mikel Arteta would thrive as a manager during the early stages of his reign at Manchester City.
The Arsenal boss learned his trade under the former Barcelona tactician, providing knowledge of the English came from his time as a player in the Premier League.
And Guardiola has detailed how Arteta specifically helped him to form a gameplan after moving to the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola recalls moment he knew Mikel Arteta would thrive as manager
The Man City boss has lauded the influence of the Arsenal boss in his transition to the Premier League
Man City vs Arsenal prediction
Man City will have the advantage if Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta make changes, as the Premier League champions have the edge over the challengers in terms of squad depth.
Arteta may also want to wait until the Premier League clashes to reveal his true tactical hand, which should also offer City the better chance of winning.
Man City 2-1 Arsenal.
Man City vs Arsenal predicted line-ups
Man City XI: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasi, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Trossard
What is the early team news?
Stefan Ortega could deputise in goal for Manchester City, while Phil Foden is a doubt due to a foot injury. City should have a fully-fit squad elsewhere but it will be interesting to see how strong a team Pep Guardiola decides to go with.
Arsenal are still without Gabriel Jesus, who will be unable to face his former team due to injury.
Cedric Soares, Reiss Nelson and Mohamed Elneny are also out. Takehiro Tomiyasi and new signing Leandro Trossard could start if Mikel Arteta decides to make changes.
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