Gunners advance to FA Cup Semis v City

Arsenal will face Manchester City on either July 17th or 18th at Wembley Stadium in an FA Cup semifinal. This is a terrific accomplishment for AFC since the season has been a made rollercoaster ride through out.

So now we will get a third crack at Pep and his squad this season. So far, we have been on the shorten of two 3-0 defeats v City.

It was a good team effort today that moved the Gunners into the next round of this famous tournament. A spot kick by Pepe and a hustle strike by Dani Ceballos provided the difference. Arsenal controlled the ball 59% of the time, and also played a good game defensively. HOWEVER, corner kicks, thrown ins and free kicks remained the Gunners’ nemesis. Without two close offside calls against Sheffield United, our lads would have been sent home and the Blades would be moving on. This is an area that needs so much work and re-organization, immediately!

For me, David Luiz was a surprise starter, and Mesut Ozil was a surprise absentee. It wasn’t until after the match we learned Ozil hurt his back in yesterday’s training and was forced to miss the game. Matteo Guendouzi was also missing from the squad, but that was not a surprise.

Here are my grades for today’s effort…

Offense – B
Defense – B+
Goalkeeping – B+
Set pieces by Arsenal – C
Set Pieces against Arsenal – D
Teamwork and overall effort – B+

Men of the Match: Saka, Pepe and Tierney

Now, the Gunners have two days to rest and to train, and then, finally, a home game at the Emirates!

COYG, let’s keep it going!

Cheers, and stay healthy and safe!

Gunner1953