FA Cup: Ake dealt with him – Ex-England boss reveals why Man City beat Arsenal, blames Arteta

Former England player and manager, Stuart Pearce has hailed Nathan Ake after Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.

He noted that the Dutchman successfully kept Arsenal’s most dangerous player, Bukayo Saka quiet, thereby weakening the Gunners’ power force.

A second half strike by the Dutch defender, Ake was all the Citizens needed to progress to the next stage of the FA Cup on Friday.

It was the first meeting between the two major Premier League contenders this season and many football fans were eager to see the outcome.

Arsenal are sitting top of the Premier League with five points better than Manchester City in second place and are hoping to win their first league title since the 2003-04 Arsène Wenger’s Invincibles.

When we talk about the margins of this game, you’ve got to turn round and say Ake’s dealing with Saka,” Pearce told talkSPORT.

“I think Saka is Arsenal’s key, ace player, arguably their best player over a few months. I don’t think there was once Saka got the wrong side of him.”

Speaking further, Pearce blamed Mikel Arteta for dropping some of his key players on the bench and expecting them to beat Manchester City.

“I think we learnt you can’t leave too many of your players out and expect to beat City. Arsenal were happy to come here and go toe to toe.”
Former England player and manager Stuart Pearce has hailed Nathan Ake after Manchester City victory over Arsènal in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.

He noted that the Dutchman successfully kept Arsènal’s most dangerous player, Bukayo Saka quiet thereby weakening the Gunners’ power force.

A second half strike by Dutch defender Ake was all the Citizens needed to progress to the next stage of the FA Cup on Friday.

It was the first meeting between the two major Premier League contenders this season and many football fans were eager to see the outcome.

Arsenal are sitting top of the Premier League with five points better than Manchester City in second place and are hoping to win their first league title since the 2003-04 Arsène Wenger’s Invincibles.

“When we talk about the margins of this game, you’ve got to turn round and say Ake’s dealing with Saka,” Pearce told talkSPORT.

“I think Saka is Arsenal’s key, ace player, arguably their best player over a few months. I don’t think there was once Saka got the wrong side of him.”

Speaking further, Pearce blamed Mikel Arteta for dropping some of his key players on the bench and expecting them to beat Manchester City.

“I think we learnt you can’t leave too many of your players out and expect to beat City. Arsenal were happy to come here and go toe to toe.”