Arsenal Reach FA Cup Final

Arsenal reached their third FA Cup final in four years with Alexis Sanchez grabbing an extra-time winner to defeat Manchester City 2-1 after a pulsating game at Wembley.

Arsene Wenger kept his three at the back formation, and for the most part it worked well, but the Gunners rode their luck a bit at times — not least when City had a first half goal ruled out when the assistant referee mistakenly ruled a Leroy Sane cross had gone out of play.

Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after Arsenal found themselves exposed, but a brilliant Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross was matched by a superb Nacho Monreal equaliser.

Petr Cech made up for his hesitation for the goal by getting fingertips to a Yaya Toure shot, tipping it on to the post, and City hit the bar in normal time.

In the extra 30 minutes there were chances spurned, Danny Welbeck culpable a couple of times, but just as he did in 2015, Sanchez scored the goal to see them through to the final.

It was a brilliant cup tie, and Arsenal fans will be pleased to see a performance with fight and effort. What a difference those qualities can have on results.

The three centre-halves all played well — Gabriel and Rob Holding in particular really put in solid displays — and outside them the wing-backs, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Monreal, were excellent throughout.

Most of all, it was about attitude and working hard to ensure the sloppiness that has characterised their play was kept to a minimum, and for the most part they did that

The goal raised questions about the team’s concentration. Even if the ball was lost high up the pitch there’s no way Aguero should have had that much space. But on a day you reach a cup final, there’s little point dwelling on negatives.

Manager rating out of 10

8 — Going three at the back against a team like City was brave. There’s still some work to do in that regard, but it worked here.

GK Petr Cech, 6 — The goal showed evidence of a player who is slowing down, but he went some way to make up for it with a fingertip save to keep scores level.

DF Gabriel, 8 — Easily his best performance for the Gunners. The Brazilian was strong, quick and decisive, making crucial defensive interventions.

DF Laurent Koscielny, 8 — The Arsenal captain kept things organised with the two men outside him, and was as solid as you’d expect.

DF Rob Holding, 8 — Absolutely outstanding for a young man of 20. Showed remarkable calm and composure on the ball, and he was defensively superb.

MF Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 8 — The wing-back role seems to suit him. He looks comfortable there, and he provided a brilliant assist for the equaliser.

MF Nacho Monreal, 9 — The Spaniard was absolutely outstanding, defensively flawless, and his desire to get on to the end of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross was clear. Tidy finish with his right foot too.

MF Granit Xhaka, 7 — Worked hard, kept his discipline, used the ball well and dovetailed quite well with Ramsey. Carless for City’s goal, though.

MF Aaron Ramsey, 7 — Culpable for losing the ball ahead of the City opener, but otherwise put in a real shift.

MF Alexis Sanchez, 8 — He is the man for the big occasion. He loves Wembley too, and it seems apt the man who has contributed most this season was the one to seal the game.

MF Mesut Ozil, 6 — The German had chances to make a real impact, but seemed a half a yard off the pace at decisive moments.

FW Olivier Giroud, 6 — Got little service, and was fouled almost every time the ball came near him, making his life more difficult.

FW Danny Welbeck, N/R — The England man had a massive impact, although he made poor decisions at times and missed a glorious chance to make it 3-1. He shook things up from an attacking point of view, though.

DF Hector Bellerin, N/R — Made one brilliant block to deny Fabian Delph a late equaliser.

MF Francis Coquelin, N/R — Brought on in the final few minutes to take up some time and add some fresh legs.