Arsenal advanced to the FA Cup final after stunning defending champions Manchester City 2-0 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Arsenal scored in either half through Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a match in which City dominated possession but Arsenal were more clinical in front of goal.
Aubameyang had an early chance in the opening minutes when he fired a shot straight at City’s goalkeeper Ederson. He, however, took his next opportunity when he directed a cross by Côte d’Ivoire winger Nicolas Pepe to the far post past Ederson into the net on 19 minutes.
In the 71st minute, the 31-year-old would latch onto a lofted ball from Kieran Tierney, race clear of City’s defence and slot the ball underneath Ederson to make it 2-0.
City would continue to dominate possession but Arsenal’s defence, criticised for so long in other games, stood firm and saw out the game.
Arsenal, record winners of the FA Cup (13) will play in a record 21st final where they will face either Manchester United or Chelsea.
Arsenal’s win had much significance to it. First, it meant the Gunners had now eliminated the holders of the FA Cup on each of the last six occasions they’ve faced them. Arsenal also limited City to their fewest shots on target (1) in a game since April 2018 in the Champions League against Liverpool (0).
Aubameyang also became the fourth Arsenal player to score a competitive brace at Wembley Stadium.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the game that he hoped the result would leave Aubameyang, whose contract talks have stalled, “more convinced we are going in the right direction.”
