Arsenal ambushed FA Cup holders Manchester City as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 semi-final victory at an empty Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Days after Mikel Arteta's side beat Premier League champions Liverpool, the Spaniard outfoxed his managerial mentor Pep Guardiola as his players executed his plan to perfection.

Predictably, City enjoyed the majority of possession, but Arsenal were gritty and disciplined as well as being lethal on the counter-attack as they reached their 21st FA Cup final.

Standing in the way of Arsenal's 14th FA Cup triumph and a trophy for Arteta in his first season as a manager will be either Chelsea or Manchester United who play on Sunday.

City dominated the early exchanges, pinning Arsenal back, but were stopped in their tracks when Aubameyang produced a neat finish in the 19th minute following a flowing end-to-end move.

Pep Guardiola's City side never fully recovered and, just when they were beginning to exert some real pressure after the break, Aubameyang produced another sublime finish, racing through to fire past goalkeeper Ederson in the 71st minute.

Arsenal comfortably soaked up City's late pressure as they ended a miserable run of seven successive defeats against Guardiola's City, including a 3-0 away league defeat last month.

"It was a great result against one of the best teams in the world. We were humble, we understood the way we had to play and we took the opportunities to score," Arsenal defender David Luiz, who has been transformed in recent weeks, said.

When City had 83% of possession in the first 10 minutes it looked like being a long evening for Arsenal in the rather surreal surroundings of an empty 90,000-seater stadium.

There was no panic though and their Gabon international Aubameyang had already wasted one chance after being set up by the excellent Luiz when he gave Arsenal the lead.

It was a goal that could have come straight from the Guardiola textbook. An 18-pass move that started in Arsenal's own area, ended with Aubameyang conjuring a clever finish to guide Nicolas Pepe's cross in off the post.

City were clearly shaken out of their stride and looked frail at the back as Arseanl threatened on the counter-attack.

Guardiola's side began the second half with greater purpose and looked to be taking control with Raheem Sterling firing over and Riyad Mahrez denied by a great save from Emiliano Martinez.

Kevin de Bruyne's dipping free kick went close for City but Arsenal held firm and struck again with 20 minutes left.

Kieran Tierney's sublime pass from the left played in Aubameyang and the striker outpaced defender Eric Garcia before coolly shooting under Ederson to wrap up the victory.

Arsenal ambushed FA Cup holders Manchester City as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 semi-final victory at an empty Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal ambushed FA Cup holders Manchester City as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 semi-final victory at an empty Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Days after Mikel Arteta's side beat Premier League champions Liverpool, the Spaniard outfoxed his managerial mentor Pep Guardiola as his players executed his plan to perfection. Predictably, City enjoyed the majority of possession, but Arsenal were gritty and disciplined as well as being lethal on the counter-attack as they reached their 21st FA Cup final. Standing in the way of Arsenal's 14th FA Cup triumph and a trophy for Arteta in his first season as a manager will be either Chelsea or Manchester United who play on Sunday. City dominated the early exchanges, pinning Arsenal back, but were stopped in their tracks when Aubameyang produced a neat finish in the 19th minute following a flowing end-to-end move. Pep Guardiola's City side never fully recovered and, just when they were beginning to exert some real pressure after the break, Aubameyang produced another sublime finish, racing through to fire past goalkeeper Ederson in the 71st minute. Arsenal comfortably soaked up City's late pressure as they ended a miserable run of seven successive defeats against Guardiola's City, including a 3-0 away league defeat last month. "It was a great result against one of the best teams in the world. We were humble, we understood the way we had to play and we took the opportunities to score," Arsenal defender David Luiz, who has been transformed in recent weeks, said. When City had 83% of possession in the first 10 minutes it looked like being a long evening for Arsenal in the rather surreal surroundings of an empty 90,000-seater stadium. There was no panic though and their Gabon international Aubameyang had already wasted one chance after being set up by the excellent Luiz when he gave Arsenal the lead. It was a goal that could have come straight from the Guardiola textbook. An 18-pass move that started in Arsenal's own area, ended with Aubameyang conjuring a clever finish to guide Nicolas Pepe's cross in off the post. City were clearly shaken out of their stride and looked frail at the back as Arseanl threatened on the counter-attack. Guardiola's side began the second half with greater purpose and looked to be taking control with Raheem Sterling firing over and Riyad Mahrez denied by a great save from Emiliano Martinez. Kevin de Bruyne's dipping free kick went close for City but Arsenal held firm and struck again with 20 minutes left. Kieran Tierney's sublime pass from the left played in Aubameyang and the striker outpaced defender Eric Garcia before coolly shooting under Ederson to wrap up the victory.

Aubameyang double fires Arsenal past Manchester City into Cup final

The much-awaited <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/premier-league">Premier League</a>&nbsp;restart will witness Manchester City face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. The blockbuster clash will be played behind closed doors but it won’t matter to the football fanatics much as they will be seeing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/premier-league">Premier League</a> coming back on track following a prolonged break due to COVID-19.

Both the managers - Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta (who himself has been a COVID-19 survivor) -&nbsp;thanked the NHS and frontline workers during the pre-match press conference. Both Man City and Arsenal, like other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/premier-league">Premier League</a> teams, have been working rigorously to get back to match fitness but are expected to be a bit rusty.&nbsp;

“You can play a game after three weeks on holiday but we spent two weeks on the sofa doing nothing much. That is why the players are not fully fit.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pep-guardiola-man-city-players-not-ready-for-hectic-premier-league-schedule-306320" hreflang="en">Pep Guardiola: Man City players not ready for hectic Premier League schedule</a>

“But that is why we have to finish the season. We have to limit the economic damage to the clubs. The way we are right now, I think other clubs and teams [as well], we don't know. If you ask me how the team is, I don't know,” Guardiola said in the press conference.

<h2>Advantage, Man City?</h2>

Talking about the fixture, Man City have won six straight competitive matches against the Gunners while scoring three goals in five of those six games. Before the league was put on a hold, Man City had won four of their five Premier League home games including a draw.

Whereas Arsenal trail the Champions League spot by eight points but an unbeaten run in the last eight Premier League games will give them an upbeat chance to upset the rusty Blues. With a lot to play for in the season, both the teams would be wanting to get back to full fitness as soon as possible and could treat the match as a stepping stone for the rest of the season. Win, is an absolute necessity for both which makes the contest a promising affair.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arteta-ready-for-challenge-of-premier-league-relaunch-306331" hreflang="en">Arteta ready for challenge of Premier League relaunch</a>

<h2>New Atmosphere: No Atmosphere</h2>

"When I was at the Emirates and there was no crowd, you cannot feel that energy, push or drive," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/arteta-ready-for-challenge-of-premier-league-relaunch-306331">Arteta told reporters in a video press conference on Monday.</a>

"The game is different. The intensity drops a little bit. That urgency from the crowd doesn't exist anymore, how passionate the crowds are in England. We have to adapt.

"We have to experience it. We have to find ways to motivate our players as well in moments."

The star-studded affair will feature the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, David Silva and many others and the match will come as a massive sigh of relief for Premier League fans.&nbsp;

The much-awaited Premier League restart will witness Manchester City face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. The blockbuster clash will be played behind closed doors but it won’t matter to the football fanatics much as they will be seeing Premier League coming back on track following a prolonged break due to COVID-19.

The much-awaited Premier League restart will witness Manchester City face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. The blockbuster clash will be played behind closed doors but it won’t matter to the football fanatics much as they will be seeing Premier League coming back on track following a prolonged break due to COVID-19. Both the managers - Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta (who himself has been a COVID-19 survivor) - thanked the NHS and frontline workers during the pre-match press conference. Both Man City and Arsenal, like other Premier League teams, have been working rigorously to get back to match fitness but are expected to be a bit rusty. “You can play a game after three weeks on holiday but we spent two weeks on the sofa doing nothing much. That is why the players are not fully fit. ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola: Man City players not ready for hectic Premier League schedule “But that is why we have to finish the season. We have to limit the economic damage to the clubs. The way we are right now, I think other clubs and teams [as well], we don't know. If you ask me how the team is, I don't know,” Guardiola said in the press conference. Advantage, Man City? Talking about the fixture, Man City have won six straight competitive matches against the Gunners while scoring three goals in five of those six games. Before the league was put on a hold, Man City had won four of their five Premier League home games including a draw. Whereas Arsenal trail the Champions League spot by eight points but an unbeaten run in the last eight Premier League games will give them an upbeat chance to upset the rusty Blues. With a lot to play for in the season, both the teams would be wanting to get back to full fitness as soon as possible and could treat the match as a stepping stone for the rest of the season. Win, is an absolute necessity for both which makes the contest a promising affair. ALSO READ: Arteta ready for challenge of Premier League relaunch New Atmosphere: No Atmosphere "When I was at the Emirates and there was no crowd, you cannot feel that energy, push or drive," Arteta told reporters in a video press conference on Monday. "The game is different. The intensity drops a little bit. That urgency from the crowd doesn't exist anymore, how passionate the crowds are in England. We have to adapt. "We have to experience it. We have to find ways to motivate our players as well in moments." The star-studded affair will feature the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, David Silva and many others and the match will come as a massive sigh of relief for Premier League fans.

Man City vs Arsenal Preview: A battle between the master and apprentice

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Aubameyang double fires Arsenal past Manchester City into Cup final

Man City vs Arsenal Preview: A battle between the master and apprentice