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FA Cup Hits and Misses: Man City and Arsenal take lessons from Etihad tie, Leandro Trossard catches eye, John Stones suffers injury | Football News
What lessons will top two take from their cup clash?
Pre-match it felt like Mikel Arteta’s team selection could open the door for a damaging defeat for Arsenal. But in the end his side equipped themselves well and although the FA Cup defeat will frustrate and hurt his players, perhaps the Arsenal head coach escaped the Etihad without his priority – the Premier League challenge – substantially hit by the loss to rivals Manchester City.
The more optimistic Arsenal supporters may even suggest the game offers encouragement, with Arteta likely to field a far stronger starting XI when the sides finally meet in the league at the Emirates on February 15.
But really there was little given away by either side in regards to how that game could play out in a couple of weeks. City looked more effective with Julian Alvarez playing off Erling Haaland, so that could be an option, while Pep Guardiola noted how Arsenal’s man-to-man marking set-up limited his team’s options. Expect him to be already mulling over possible solutions.
He will certainly need to decide on his best defensive options, with Stones looking set to be a doubt, and the two Premier League games both sides have to play before their next showdown could shift the storyline too. Anyway, Arsenal might have Moises Caicedo in their midfield by then.
This was a tie far removed from the all-action thriller that was Arsenal vs Manchester United last weekend but it serves as an intriguing appetiser for the bigger contests to come between the Premier League’s top two so far this season…
Trossard looks like he could become a key asset for Arsenal
He’s only been at the club for just over a week but already Leandro Trossard has seamlessly slotted into this Arsenal team – and appears to be a real asset too.
After an encouraging cameo in the final stages of the win over Manchester United on Sunday, Trossard was handed his first start for the Gunners at the Etihad and immediately caught the eye.
Driving down the left flank into the space left unoccupied by Rico Lewis drifting infield, Trossard caused City real problems early on. He teed up Takehiro Tomiyasu for a thunderbolt and another cross was prodded just wide of the post by Eddie Nketiah. In between he hit the target himself, drawing a good stop from Stefan Ortega in the City goal.
He was subbed off after 65 minutes but finished the match as Arsenal’s joint-top chance creator (two), joint-top crosser (two) and also their joint-top tackler. Indeed, his chasing back will have pleased Mikel Arteta, with Riyad Mahrez hardly getting into the game behind him.
Perhaps the one problem for Arsenal was that all this output came from just 21 touches – the fewest of any starter from either side. If Arsenal can find a way to get him even more involved in the coming weeks, new boy Trossard could play a key role in the run-in.
How big a loss will Stones prove in title race?
Manchester City’s John Stones leaves the field
Pep Guardiola’s face said it all.
John Stones winced and tucked his legs into his chase, to reduce the pain that had shot through his right hamstring in freezing conditions in Manchester.
Trossard had left the England centre-back’s thighs burning for most of the opening half, slightly exposed by Rico Lewis’ exuberance to get forward down the right channel.
Another twist, another turn and Stones felt the ping and his likely period on the sidelines will put Manchester City’s clear depth in this area to the test.
John Stones has excelled this season for City
At the start of the month, Guardiola highlighted Stones’ form, telling Sky Sports: “John he played extraordinary in the World Cup and he can adapt perfectly with three or out wide.
“He is playing at the best level, maybe for the first time in seven years since we arrived together. When he is playing like this it’s so good.”
Such was the significance of Stones’ injury, Aymeric Laporte was in no way ready to replace him. Sheepishly, he stripped off as his side temporarily had to play with 10 men.
It was hardly the sharpest of responses from Laporte, who would go on to make a crucial interception shortly after Nathan Ake’s decisive opener.
With fixtures coming thick and fast in February – including the second instalment of this epic trilogy with Arsenal – greater emphasis will be placed on Laporte and Ruben Dias, who was an unused substitute on Friday. It could be a tense wait for Guardiola as Stones is assessed.
Arteta’s harsh Holding lesson learned
Holding and Erling Haaland battle for the ball
Haaland won five of his seven duels in the first half, predominantly up against Rob Holding. The Arsenal centre-back was booked on the stroke of half-time and it had been coming. It left Mikel Arteta with a conundrum to solve.
Would he be trusted to be careful during the second period against one of the world’s most prolific strikers?
Holding didn’t know whether to stick or twist, and mismatch brought back nasty memories of when he was sent off before half-time in the North London derby at Tottenham towards the end of last season as Arsenal’s season unravelled.
Rob Holding struggled to cope with Erling Haaland
Holding was also in the Arsenal side that were beaten in the third-round stage last season by Nottingham Forest, which led to Arteta apologising for his side’s display.
With a face like thunder, Arteta ripped into the performance of the players while criticising the low standards that came with it.
“I accept losing guys, I accept losing. I don’t accept these standards, I’m telling you. I don’t accept them, I don’t accept them, these standards,” he said while furiously wagging his finger around.
Holding was sent off before half time against Spurs
“When I lose a duel, I am upset,” Arteta ended as he stormed out of the dressing-room.
It is a scene that has been revisited more recently as a marker for how far Arsenal have come in the past 12 months, but on Friday night Arteta showed he had learned from harsh previous lessons.
Against the most ruthless finisher in England, the Spaniard took no chances as William Saliba replaced Holding at the interval.
Incidentally, Arteta defended Holding when he was sent off against Spurs last May, telling Sky Sports: “If I say what I think, then I am suspended for six months. I don’t like lying. I prefer not to say what I think. I cannot say what I think. I am so proud of my players. A beautiful game was destroyed.”
But here, Arteta was wise not to make the same mistake twice, for Holding’s own good and for the wider good of his team.
Jenson Button was making his NASCAR debut at the Circuit of Americas in Texas and said he was afraid he would faint during the race as he suffered from heat exhaustion; former F1 world champion finished in 18th place
Last Updated: 27/03/23 10:40am
Jenson Button made his NASCAR debut on Sunday
Jenson Button suffered from heat exhaustion and nearly retired on his NASCAR debut, before finishing 18th.
The former F1 world champion, 43, said he feared fainting while driving his Ford Mustang during the 68-lap race at the Circuit of Americas in Texas on Sunday.
“Finished 18th after almost stopping because I had heat exhaustion. It was so hot. I don’t have a fan in my seat, which really didn’t help me too much,” Button said.
The former F1 driver finished in 18th place in Texas
“I stopped twice for a minute. They put ice on me, gave me loads of water, and I went back out.
“I was so close to getting out of the car because I thought I was going to faint. I must have drank eight (or) nine bottles of water during the race.
“The team kept me calm, and it’s the reason why we got a good result in the end. So, I was happy.”
Button will next compete in the inaugural Chicago Street Race on July 2 before racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on August 13.
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Four Warrington Wolves players make our latest Betfred Super League team of the week after they stayed unbeaten so far in 2023, with three each from Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos included as well; Wigan Warriors and St Helens are also represented
Last Updated: 27/03/23 10:22am
Josh Charnley’s hat-trick for Leigh earned him a place in our team of the week
We go through the statistics and put together our combined XIII of the standout performers from the latest round of matches in the Betfred Super League…
1. Matt Dufty (Warrington Wolves)
The full-back was heavily involved as the Wolves maintained their unbeaten start to the Super League season with a 38-0 win away to Castleford Tigers.
Dufty scored a try, assisted another, broke four tackles and assisted a linebreak. He gained 128 metres with the ball in hand as well.
2. Bevan French (Wigan Warriors)
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Highlights of the Super League match between Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils
Two tries from the 2022 Super League Dream Team selection helped Wigan overcome Salford Red Devils in a thrilling 20-16 win on Friday.
French’s tries came on the back of him gaining 185 metres and making 58 post-contact metres. He broke the line three times and bust 11 tackles as well.
3. Tom Opacic (Hull Kingston Rovers)
The Australian led the way for the Robins as they got back to winning ways and inflicted more misery on Wakefield Trinity in a 34-6 triumph at Be Well Support Stadium.
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Highlights from the Super League match between Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR
Opacic provided an assist for a try and a linebreak too, along with breaking the line twice himself and busting seven tackles. He gained 52 metres with the ball in hand as well.
4. Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
The centre atoned for his second-half sin-binning by completing Leeds Rhinos’ comeback win over Catalans Dragons as the hosts triumphed 32-22 on Saturday.
That was Newman’s second try of the game, having assisted a linebreak, broken the line twice and bust one tackle. He gained 104 metres with 42 post-contact metres as well.
5. Josh Charnley (Leigh Leopards)
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Highlights of the Super League match between Hull FC and Leigh Leopards
A hat-trick from the winger helped set Leigh on their way to an impressive 24-16 win away to Hull FC in Saturday’s Super League match.
Charnley’s treble came in a game where he gained 116 metres and made 47 post-contact metres, breaking the line three times and busting six tackles.
6. Blake Austin (Leeds Rhinos)
The former Great Britain international was at the heart of the Rhinos’ comeback win against Catalans at Headingley.
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Highlights of the Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons
Austin assisted two tries and two linebreaks, along with breaking the line twice and busting four tackles. He was a strong running threat too, gaining 129 metres and gaining 46 post-contact metres.
7. Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards)
The scrum-half earned the praises of his father and Leigh head coach Adrian Lam for his role in helping the Leopards to victory away at Hull FC.
Lam assisted a try and a linebreak and was a constant running threat. He gained 66 metres, breaking the line once and busting five tackles, along with controlling things with his in-play kicking.
8. Paul Vaughan (Warrington Wolves)
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Highlights of the Super League match between Castleford Tigers and Warrington Wolves
The former Australia international again showed why Warrington brought him over from the NRL by laying the groundwork for their victory over Castleford.
Vaughan gained 171 metres and made 101 post-contact metres with the ball in hand, breaking the line once and busting six tackles. He came up with 23 tackles in defence too.
9. Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves)
The hooker made his presence felt off the interchange bench after Daryl Clarke played just 15 minutes due to injury in Friday’s win for Warrington at Castleford.
Walker provided an assist for a try and assisted two linebreaks as well, along with gaining 117 metres and busting two tackles. He made 21 tackles in defence too.
10. Matty Lees (St Helens)
The prop was named player of the match in St Helens’ 14-12 win away to Huddersfield Giants for his defensive effort which saw him make 58 tackles in a full 80-minute stint in the front row.
England international Lees gained 58 metres with the ball in hand too, with one tackle break.
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Highlights of the Super League match between Huddersfield Giants and St Helens
11. Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
Another strong showing in the back row from the Wolves’ testimonial man proved key as they made it six wins from six in Super League in 2023.
Currie gained 85 metres with 43 post-contact metres, assisting a try and assisting a line break too. In defence, he came up with 29 tackles.
12. Kai O’Donnell (Leigh Leopards)
The former Canberra Raiders second row put in a fine display on both sides of the ball to help the Leopards triumph at the MKM Stadium.
O’Donnell scored a try on the back of gaining 120 metres with 62 post-contact metres, making one linebreak and busting five tackles. He made 33 tackles with a 100 per cent completion rate too.
13. Cameron Smith (Leeds Rhinos)
The loose forward put in another impressive performance in both attack and defence to help Leeds hand Catalans their first defeat of the year in Super League.
Smith assisted one try and one linebreak, along with gaining 60 metres, making 41 post-contact metres, and busting five tackles. He came up with 42 tackles in defence as well.
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Aintree Grand National meeting: Clan Des Obeaux ruled out of return after fresh setback in build-up | Racing News
Paul Nicholls has lost a race against time to get Clan Des Obeaux ready for Aintree.
The dual King George VI Chase winner had been making good progress from a suspensory injury ahead of a planned return to action at the Grand National meeting, where he was set to defend his Aintree Bowl title.
The 11-year-old, owned by Paul Barber, Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson, was last seen finishing second to Allaho in the Punchestown Gold Cup last April.
Clan Des Obeaux had been making strides in his rehabilitation, but Nicholls has decided he will not attempt a hat-trick in the race he won in 2021 and 2022 and wait until next term with the five-times Grade One winner instead.
He said: “We have run out of time to get him ready, so we will just have to wait until next season.
“He had a little bit of a suspensory problem and has been doing everything and coming along well.
“He did a strong piece of work last week away and it has just flared up again.
“The warning light is flashing and we’ve just not had enough time to get him right, so we’ve had to pull stumps for the season.
“Unfortunately, much as we and everyone has tried to get him ready, we’re not going to get there.”
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