Reporter Ahn Hong-seok = English professional soccer Manchester City (Man City) defeated Arsenal, the leader of the Premier League (EPL), and advanced to the round of 16 of the FA Cup.
Man City won 1-0 against Arsenal with Nathan Ake’s winning goal in the middle of the second half in the 2022-2023 season FA Cup 4th Round (Round of 32) home game held at Emirates Stadium in Manchester, England on the 28th (Korean time).
It is a result that has more meaning than advancing to the round of 16 for Man City. This is because Arsenal, who emerged as the biggest contender for the EPL championship, won the first match this season.
The match between Man City and Arsenal in the first half of the league was postponed to the second half due to the change in the schedule of the European Football Federation (UEFA) Europa League.
The match was therefore the first match of the season between the two teams.
Man City is currently in second place in the EPL with 45 points, but the leader (50 points) Arsenal is 5 points ahead of them even though they have played one less game.
Man City must win both matches against Arsenal in the second half in order to easily achieve the goal of a third consecutive EPL victory.
Although Manchester City did not win the league on this day, it was a good start to Arsenal in the flow of competition for the league championship.
Man City struggled because Elling Hollan, the ‘monster goal scorer’ who is recording 31 goals in the official match this season, was blocked by Arsenal’s defense.
Hollan attempted only two shots that day, of which only one was effective.
It was central defender Ake’s toes that decided the game. 메이저사이트
Ake scored the winning goal after receiving a pass from Jack Grealish from the left side of the goal area in the 19th minute of the second half. A right-footed, non-stop grounder shot landed in the right corner of the goal, where the goalkeeper could not use his hand.
Ake, who can play anywhere in the defensive line, from full-back and centre-back to sometimes as a defensive midfielder, is not a frequent scorer.
Ake successfully carried out his mission to block Arsenal’s main scorer, Bukayo Saka, but even scored a goal that gave the team victory at the decisive moment.
After the match, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola praised Ake, saying, “Ake is having a really great season.”
Meanwhile, both Man City and Arsenal faced the bad news of losing key players to injuries that day.
Manchester City’s center back John Stones withdrew from a hamstring (muscle behind the thigh) injury in the first half, while Arsenal’s midfielder Thomas Party injured his ribs and was substituted at the start of the second half.