Julián Álvarez came on and changed the game for City as they knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup

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Giuliano Alvarez Continue to demonstrate that you are in a state of grace. The Cordoba striker, fresh from an excellent World Cup with the Argentina national team, added another great performance in the national team Manchester City Pep Guardiola. The Argentine came on in the second half of the match against Arsenal for the England Cup and it was he who unbalanced the progress of the match: one of his shots that hit the post led to a goal by the Dutchman Nathan Aké which sealed City’s 1-0 win over the Gunners.

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City thus progressed to the round of 16 against Premier League leaders Arsenal, five points clear and one game less than Josep Guardiola’s side.

With Matt Turner in goal, Rob Holding in defence, Fabio Vieira in center and Leandro Trossard starting for the first time in attack, the Arsenal manager, Mikel Artettaopted for rotations for this match, while Guardiola chose a more classic eleven, with Erling Haaland at the forefront and the presence of figures such as Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish or Ilkay Gündogan.

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Despite this, Arsenal proved superior going into the match, with good chances from Takehiro Tomiyasu (5) or Trossard (21).

Gradually the tide began to change, especially in the second half when Arsenal faced without Thomas Partey, changed at half time.

The Londoners were handing over control of the game to City, who switched to a 4-4-2 formation with the entry of Julián Álvarez in place of Mahrez in 58.

The Argentine world champion sent to the post, just before Grealish assisted Nathan Aké, whose shot from low to the ground surprised Turner (1-0, minute 65).

Arsenal then tried to fight back. Arteta bet on Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Martinelli or Martin Odegaard to come on, but City’s substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega was very careful and avoided a draw.

Guardiola, the teacher, thus won the battle in this match against Arteta, his outstanding pupil and former assistant, even though both have shown that their teams aspire to the top and the fight for the Premier League looks exciting.

In the league the duel between the two will be on 15 February, at Arsenal.

The FA Cup round of 32 continues this weekend. Liverpool visit Brighton, while Manchester United host second division Reading.

Source: Clarin

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