Post-Match Report

Match report: Arsenal 2-0 Manchester City

Aubameyang

Manchester City -

Wembley
The Emirates FA Cup
The Emirates FA Cup
  Arsenal
      
                  P. Aubameyang (17, 71)
            
   crest
Arsenal
P. Aubameyang (17, 71)
2 - 0
  Manchester City
   crest
Manchester City

By Chris Harris

WHAT HAPPENED

A monumental team performance - and two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - saw us overcome Manchester City to book our place in the Emirates FA Cup final.

Our captain missed a glorious chance when he was put through by David Luiz, but made amends a few minutes later with a brilliantly-executed half-volley to steer Nicolas Pepe's cross past Ederson and in off the post.

That was the conclusion of a move that comprised 18 passes and 10 of our players. A true collective effort in keeping with the overall display.

Aubameyang was ruthless again with his only clear chance of the second half, racing onto a fine through-ball from the outstanding Kieran Tierney to finish confidently.

Shkodran Mustafi went close for us with a powerful header that Ederson tipped over but, as expected, City had most of the ball and more of the opportunities.

They dominated the first 15 minutes and we needed a string of vital blocks and clearances to keep Pep Guardiola's side at bay - with Granit Xhaka, David Luiz and Tierney to the fore.

City posed even more questions in the second half with Kevin De Bruyne doing plenty of damage after moving from the centre of midfield to the right.

But chances were squandered by Raheem Sterling and David Silva, while Emi Martinez made a great save to deny Riyad Mahrez.

City threw everything at us, but Mikel Arteta's gameplan worked perfectly.

Our players followed his instructions to the letter and a combination of discipline, determination and clinical finishing gave Arteta a famous win over his former club.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Get the full story of our trip to Wembley with our play-by-play updates

WHAT IT MEANS

We're heading back to Wembley for a record 21st Emirates FA Cup final appearance.

The winners of Sunday's semi-final between Manchester United and Chelsea will face us on Saturday, August 1.

TEAM NEWS                               

Arteta made five changes to his starting line-up for this semi-final.

Mustafi, Hector Bellerin, Aubameyang, Ceballos and Ainsley Maitland-Niles came in for Rob Holding, Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, Lucas Torreira and the cup-tied Cedric Soares.

WHAT’S NEXT

We're back in Premier League action on Tuesday with a trip to Aston Villa.