How Arsenal rated in their FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City

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Arsenal were not given much of a chance against Manchester City ahead of the FA Cup semi-final, but they managed to triumph in extra time with a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Nacho Monreal and Alexis Sanchez, following Sergio Aguero’s opener.

It has been a disappointing season for the Gunners and Arsene Wenger will know that a lot of changes need to be made in the summer. However, they are one game away from winning the FA Cup and that would provide the club with confidence heading into the upcoming transfer window.

The decision to stick with a back-three paid off for Arsene Wenger and they have momentum to take into the final few matches of the season.

Here is how the Gunners rated during their semi-final win over Manchester City…

Petr Cech – For the first goal, it could be said that he was too eager to leave his line, but he made a superb save to take the game to extra time. Only a fingertip save from Cech prevented Yaya Toure from bagging the winner in normal time. 7

Gabriel Paulista – It was a good performance on Sunday from Gabriel Paulista. His positioning was impressive considering he hasn’t played in a back three many times, while his decision making was good when he was one-on-one with an attacker. 8

Laurent Koscielny – The 31-year-old is the club’s best defender and that showed on Sunday as he was always helping the players either side of him. He made some crucial contributions to restrict City to only one goal, completing six ball recoveries and four clearances. 7

Rob Holding – It was a huge show of confidence from Wenger as he chose to stick with three at the back, but it was one that paid off. At times, Holding’s inexperience showed, but it was a good display from the young centre-back. He was confident with the ball at his feet and his ability to carry it forwards was impressive. Holding completed four dribbles during the match. 7

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – The Englishman has been one of the club’s best players in recent weeks and he was superb at Wembley on Sunday. Defensively, he was assured and kept Leroy Sane relatively quiet. However, it was in possession that he was most impressive, as he delivered the cross for the equaliser. 8

Aaron Ramsey – After being dominated during the first-half, the Welshman grew into the game and was reliable in possession. He completed 84% of his passes during the game and his energy was crucial as the game wore on. 6

Granit Xhaka – The Swiss midfielder was another who grew into the game in the second half. He played his part in helping the side get to extra-time, but he didn’t do enough in possession to help his side in attack. 6

Nacho Monreal – He was probably the most unlikely goal-scorer on the pitch, but the Spaniard netted the crucial equalising goal. It was great movement as he ghosted into the box and scored a tidy volley with his weaker foot. The 31-year-old did well in his new role at left-wing back and completed four tackles during the match. 8

Mesut Ozil – It wasn’t the best performance from the German as he was kept relatively quiet by the Manchester City defence. He had one opportunity in the second half, but he was too predictable and the move was easily dealt with. However, his delivery that led to the second goal was superb and displayed why Arsene Wenger was keen to keep him on the pitch. 5

Alexis Sanchez – The Chilean was full of running, but he struggled to get into the game during normal time. City marshalled him well, but as the game opened him, he started to get on the ball more often in the final third. In the first-half of extra time, he netted the winner as the ball fell to him in the box. It wasn’t his best performance, but it was a memorable one. 7

Olivier Giroud – Although he did well in the air winning seven aerial duels, he struggled to threaten the City goal. It was an afternoon to forget for the Frenchman as his replacement, Danny Welbeck, had a far greater impact on the game. 4

Danny Welbeck – After coming on in the second half, the striker caused City a lot of problems with his pace, power and movement. He had a good chance in normal time, but he fired just wide, when a pass to Sanchez may have been a better option. That said, he unsettled the City defence and it was the nerves that led to the winning goal. 7

Hector Bellerin – The Spaniard added energy to the side in the second period of extra time, but he didn’t do enough to earn a rating. N/A

Francis Coquelin – He was brought on to see the game out, but like Bellerin, he didn’t do enough to earn a rating. N/A

Featured image: All rights reserved by Stuart MacFarlane