Arsenal 2 -1 Man City

Arsenal reached the Emirates FA Cup final after a hugely-dramatic clash with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

This was a victory built as much on character and heart as anything else – and the Gunners deserved everything they got.

But after the restart the game sparked into life, with Arsène Wenger’s men soon taking charge, only to fall behind when Sergio Aguero scored a suckerpunch of a goal on the counter. The first half was a tight, tense affair with little between the two teams – and chances at a premium – although both teams had goals disallowed.

But the Gunners did not let their heads drop, and they had their reward with 19 minutes remaining when Nacho Monreal stole in at the far post to slam home a superb Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross.

Momentum was shifting back and forth almost by the minute, with City seeing two efforts hit the woodwork – the first by Yaya Toure, the second as Fernandinho’s struck the bar – while Danny Welbeck also went close.

There was to be no further breakthrough in regulation time, and the game went to an additional half-hour.

Rob Holding – magnificent all afternoon – came so close to putting his side in front but headed just over from close range, before Arsenal sparked jubilant scenes as they grabbed what turned out to be the winner.

It wasn’t pretty, it was downright scrappy – but no one of an Arsenal persuasion cared a jot as Alexis reacted quickest to a loose ball from a corner to poke home from close range.

What a performance. What a cup tie.

Bring on May 27 and yet another Emirates FA Cup final.

News by Arsenal.com
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1617/post/first-team/62777/arsenal-v-man-city-the-story-so-far#x0V2MB9fq3GuscUE.99