By: Kamusime Barnabas
Manchester City lost 2-0 to Arsenal in their FA Cup semi-final and completed an unwanted set of results for the season
Defence pecking order
Eric Garcia has shot to the top of Pep Guardiola’s preference to partner Aymeric Laporte.
The youngster had played a few Manchester City games this season but before lockdown there wasn’t really any doubt that he was fifth choice. After starting in the biggest games since the restart though, there can be no doubt that Garcia is ahead of John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho.
Guardiola loves the composure and intelligence that Garcia brings, and like Laporte he is only too happy to get stuck into the physical side of the game too. In a game where none of the defence looked entirely comfortable, the teenager was no less assured than his more senior teammates.
What looks good for Garcia’s future looks less so for Stones and Otamendi, but as it stands the 19-year-old looks best-placed to start both the FA Cup final and the remaining Champions League games.
City complete unwanted set
Liverpool, United, Chelsea, Spurs, and now Arsenal.
City have dominated English football for two years and crushed all rivals but this year it has been far too easy to beat them. Arsenal’s victory in the FA Cup means that all of the traditional Big Six teams have beaten Guardiola’s team in the current campaign. If they want to win more trophies, their record against the best sides must improve.
Arsenal kings of the FA Cup
If Real Madrid are the kings of the Champions League, then Arsenal are the FA Cup equivalent. No team can better their tally of 30 semi-finals, and none can match their 13 victories.
Even if recent meetings have been one-sided, the arrival of Mikel Arteta has brought some resilience and discipline and organisation into Arsenal again. They showed in the league game at the Etihad last month signs of the resurgence and they were excellent at Wembley, all rising to the occasion.
Guardiola wanted to use these games to build momentum and be in the best shape to take on Real Madrid and the rest of the Champions League. Instead, he will have to use this match as a further warning of the barriers his team have not always shown they are able to break through
Silva renaissance
David Silva has started seven of City’s ten games since the restart. The last time he was used as frequently was the beginning of the season, when international breaks also helped players have a rest.
It is testament to the veteran’s standards that he has worked hard enough during the lockdown to make sure his body is in the best possible condition even if he didn’t enjoy too much joy against Arsenal. With just months left in his City career, he remains the example for all to follow at the club.
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