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Sport

Sanchez fires Arsenal to 20th FA Cup final

NAN-S-21
Sanchez
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, April 23, 2017 (NAN) Alexis Sanchez scored an extra-time goal as Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley to reach their 20th FA Cup final on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this victory means it will be Arsenal’s third FA Cup final appearance in four seasons.

City, who lost David Silva to a first-half injury, went ahead in the 62nd minute when Sergio Aguero raced through the opponents’ defence to score.

Nacho Monreal volleyed in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross to equalise in the 72nd minute, though Yaya Toure hit the bar for City before extra time.

Sanchez then swept in when City failed to clear Mesut Ozil’s free-kick after 101 minutes.

Guardiola made his fourth substitution of the match throwing in Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho in a desperate tactical move in the 106th minute.

He replaced Raheem Sterling who came in earlier in the first half for the injured Silva.

However, the attacking force of Manchester City failed to break down a resolute Arsenal defence.

Iheanacho squirted a header wide under pressure in one of the last goal scoring chances of the match.

Arsenal manger Arsene Wenger in his post-match said it was a great team performance.

“I am very proud of our performance and spirit. I felt we became stronger. In the first half maybe we were a bit cautious, accepting to be dominated, and then we became stronger and stronger.

“It was a very tight game, but overall I think we deserve to win the game.

“We went through a difficult period. I will talk one day about that. I feel players showed great togetherness today.

“I am very pleased, it was a big game today. Overall it was a great performance not only technically but mentally. We became stronger and in the end deserved to win the game.

“The team performance was there..When the players give their best and are completely focused you always stand up for them.

“We were close to scoring and on the break they are very good. We lost the ball and conceded the goal but we showed the right response.”

Asked about his future, Wenger said: “People can question my decision but not my loyalty and commitment to the club.”

Also, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: “In games like this, you can’t expect to control all the situations but we did most of the time.

“We performed like we would want to in a final match. We did absolutely everything. Congratulations to Arsenal.

“We’ll improve next season. We competed here, we had more chances but the finishing was like it has been throughout the season.

“We played like we wanted to and that’s all. We are sad but tomorrow we have to stand up to finish the games we still have to play.

“I don’t have regrets about the team. We just have to compete in these games. We are here for the results. Next season we will be stronger.”

Arsenal will face Chelsea in the final match at Wembley on May 27.(NAN)
VO/AAB/OLAL
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(Edited by Adeboye Ajayi and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Iwobi in action, Iheanacho missing as Arsenal, Manchester City draw

NAN-S-8

Draw
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, April 2, 2017 (NAN) Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi was a substitute for Danny Welbeck while national teammate Kelechi Iheanacho was not in City’s squad as Arsenal and Manchester City played a thrilling 2-2 draw.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Arsenal showed signs of recovery from their recent dismal run of form as they twice fought back from behind to draw.

The Gunners had lost four out of their previous five Premier League games, and faced City against uncertainty surrounding manager Arsene Wenger’s future, with more protests staged before kick-off.

Arsenal got off to the worst possible start when Leroy Sane put City ahead after only five minutes, running on to Kevin de Bruyne’s routine pass to round David Ospina.

Theo Walcott capped a spell of Arsenal pressure to scramble home an equaliser five minutes before the break at Emirates Stadium.

But they were on equal terms for only two minutes before Sergio Aguero’s powerful finish put City back in front.

Arsenal lost Laurent Koscielny to injury at half-time and it was his central defensive partner Shkodran Mustafi who rose above City’s defence from a corner to restore parity after 53 minutes.

Aguero missed two good chances for City and manager Pep Guardiola was furious that a late handball appeal against Nacho Monreal was ignored.

The result left the Spaniard’s side in fourth and Arsenal in sixth place in the table — seven points of the top-four pace.

NAN also reports that two banners were held aloft at the final whistle — and both summed up the confusion currently surrounding Arsenal and manager Wenger.

One read “Forever In Your Debt — One Arsene Wenger” and the other carried the slogan “All Good Things Must Come To An End”.

There were renewed protests from a noisy, but relatively small, group of Arsenal fans before kick-off.

It was to illustrate the pressure on Arsenal’s manager, but there were precious few signs of discontent inside the stadium.

The smart money remains on Wenger extending his stay as manager which stretches back to October 1996.

But this result and performance did little either way to clear the muddied waters around this part of north London.

Wenger insists his decision is made while Arsenal’s board say the next move will be mutual.

As it is therefore, a draw almost summed up what seems to be the current inertia among the decision-makers.

If Arsenal had won, it would certainly have made any announcement more palatable, while a loss would have made it a harder sell.

As it is, a draw means the uncertainty goes on.

In the other EPL match also played on Sunday, Swansea City and Middlesbrough produced a stale goalless draw.

The result did little to enhance either team’s prospects of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

Both sides created chances in a high-octane opening but the pace soon faltered as the players seemed gripped by tension.

Swansea’s Leroy Fer wasted a fine opportunity as he blazed over from close range in the 89th minute, while Rudy Gestede headed wide for the visitors in added time.(NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)