The PL’s top two finally came to blows after a week of this fixture’s relentless billing as ‘Master vs Student’, with Pep Guardiola looking to fend off a serious assault on his crown by former assistant Mikel Arteta.
Despite being the side with more changes, Arsenal were quick out of the blocks as usual, and it was Leandro Trossard asking the more serious questions in the early going.
Making his first start for the Gunners since moving from Brighton, the Belgian showed some trickery and earned himself some vital space, allowing him to find Takehiro Tomiyasu on the edge of the area.
However, the Japanese full-back’s powerful drive was beaten away by Stefan Ortega.
Trossard continued to torment City as the first-half minutes ticked by, frequently exploiting the space left by Rico Lewis on the hosts’ right flank. The winger also had an effort of his own at the midpoint of the half, but Ortega was equal to the task once more.
At the other end, City were struggling to create chances of their own, despite the considerable presence of Erling Haaland up front.
Creator-in-chief Kevin De Bruyne came closest to finding the net for City, as his curler from the edge of the area drifted narrowly wide of the far post.
A cagey resumption after the interval saw defences on top, with Fabio Vieira’s wayward volley the only effort on goal within the first 15 minutes of the second half.
City substitute Julian Álvarez sparked the contest into life when his long-range effort struck the post, and Arsenal’s failure to clear their lines after this huge let-off cost them the opening goal.
Jack Grealish’s reverse pass gave Nathan Aké a clear path in the final third, allowing him to curl a delightful finish into the far corner on his weak foot beyond the sprawling Matt Turner.
Arteta responded to falling behind by introducing Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard and former City boy Oleksandr Zinchenko, but his changes failed to have any real impact.
In fact, it was the hosts who tightened their grip on proceedings to see the game out, earning themselves a 10th consecutive home victory in the FA Cup – although this was the first time in that run where they’ve failed to score at least three.
Guardiola is unlikely to be bothered by that though, with the result representing his 14th victory from 17 personal clashes against the Gunners as City boss.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Nathan Aké (Manchester City)
