Arsenal 2-0 Man City: Full player ratings as Aubameyang sends Gunners to historic FA Cup final appearance
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proved the difference as Arsenal knocked out holders Manchester City to reach a record 21st final appearance.
Mikel Arteta’s men came into the contest as underdogs but stood up to an attacking onslaught that would blow many sides away.
Strong performances at both ends of the pitch ultimately sealed their 2-0 win, both goals superbly converted by Aubameyang, with City left to rue a number of gilt-edged chances.
A showdown with either Chelsea or Manchester United awaits, but for now the Gunners can celebrate another momentous win.
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Here’s how the players rated at Wembley:
Arsenal
Emiliano Martínez – 7 – Kept on his toes by City’s irresistible attacking and really stepped up to the challenge especially through a wonderful reaction save to deny Mahrez.
Shkodran Mustafi – 5 – Had another heart-in-mouth moment early on when he was pressured by Sterling inside in his own box; fortunate not to be punished after being caught in two minds.
David Luiz – 8 – Really came to the fore this evening. Often prone to an error, Luiz was at his very best. Nothing typified his stellar display in the heart of Arsenal’s defence than a brilliant block to deny Sterling.
"A lot of criticism on me, you can say it!"
"Football is about surviving. That's what I did."
David Luiz was a monster for @Arsenal tonight 💪
🎙 @TheDesKelly | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/33o8dX2tGY
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) July 18, 2020
Kieran Tierney – 6 – To his credit, he never shirked as City kept pouring forward in the second half. Can be pleased with his outing.
Héctor Bellerín – 6 – Another player in Arsenal’s defence who can thank his lucky stars after making a terrible error. Rarely ventured into City’s half as he was often on the backfoot.
Dani Ceballos – 6 – Making his Wembley debut this evening. The outing against the defending champions threatened to pass him by. Was dispossessed twice, but also made more tackles than any other Arsenal player (4).
Granit Xhaka – 7 – Came to Arsenal’s rescue on two separate occasions, a far more assuring performance from the Swiss midfielder.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6 – Encouraging going forward but it was his disciple in defence that would have impressed manager Arteta.
Playing football the Arsenal way.
🏆 #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/K3SpxedplN
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 18, 2020
Nicolas Pépé – 6 – Was instrumental in Arsenal’s opening goal by playing a gorgeous cross for Aubameyang who snuck behind City’s defence. He also kept Mendy honest throughout.
Alexandre Lacazette – 6 – Led the Arsenal line really well. Although he seldom had a pop at goal, the Frenchman had a solid game.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 9 – Today saw Aubameyang make his second-ever FA Cup appearance and he marked that occasion by putting the Gunners in front against the run of play with a wonderful improvised finish moments after forcing Ederson into making a save. He added a second late on, a goal reminiscent of Thierry Henry.
Substitutes:
Joseph Willock (for Pépé 72) – 6 – Added some more fight.
Lucas Torreira (for Lacazette 78) – N/A – A late sub.
Rob Holding (for Mustafi 87) – N/A – A late sub.
Sead Kolasinac (for Ceballos 88) – N/A – A late sub.
Manchester City
Ederson – 5 – Caught in no man’s land, which led to Aubameyang’s opener. Before that, he pulled off a save to deny a rasping point-blank shot from Arsenal’s leading marksman. Should have been punished later on after his pass forward went awry.
Kyle Walker – 4 – His speed denied Aubameyang going through for a potential hat-trick aside from that moment he was largely anonymous today.
Eric García – 5 – Didn’t put a foot wrong in the heart of City’s defence but errors around him ultimately dumped out the holders.
"The apprentice has beaten the sorcerer!"
Arsenal have booked their spot in the #EmiratesFACup final! 🙌
Hugs all around! pic.twitter.com/lguaZK2jfU
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) July 18, 2020
Aymeric Laporte – 5 – Had a tremendous effort on goal late on but would not have been happy to have seen his side ship in two goals.
Benjamin Mendy – 4 – Proved useful on City’s left flank and on several occasions was their most dangerous attacking outlet but a lapse in concentration allowed Aubameyang in to score his second of the game.
İlkay Gündoğan – 5 – Wasn’t his usual high-class self in north west London, though kept the ball ticking along Gündoğan couldn’t impose himself on the game.
Kevin De Bruyne – 7 – Wasn’t a vintage performance by any stretch of the imagination, but De Bruyne remained the one player Arsenal feared and he created the most chances (7) by a City player.
Riyad Mahrez – 5 – Should have done better when leading a City counter midway through the opening 45 minutes. He could have restored parity early in the second half but was expertly Martinez.
54. Mahrez is the latest to nearly find the net – we're getting there! 💪
🔴 1-0 🔵 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/Sdk6oO1V9q
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 18, 2020
David Silva – 5 – Became less influential as the game went on. His nifty footwork initially bamboozled Arsenal but the Spanish wizard couldn’t maintain that high tempo.
Raheem Sterling – 5 – Kept bypassing Arsenal’s backline though he couldn’t pick the lock as Arteta’s side regularly surrounded him once entering the penalty area. Should have done better after the break when he dragged a close range shot wide.
Gabriel Jesus – 4 – Aside from teeing up De Bruyne for a shot that would be blocked by Xhaka, the Brazilian marksman was mostly a hidden figure.
Substitutes:
Rodri (for Gündoğan 66) – 5 – Nothing he could have done as Arsenal’s resolve proved a match to City’s irresistible attack.
Phil Foden (Mahrez 66) – 5 – Started in energetic fashion once coming on but couldn’t impact the result.
Fernandinho (for Silva 87) – N/A – A late sub.
