A key aspect of the performance of a Manchester City playmaker at Wembley has been overlooked
A key aspect of the performance of a Manchester City playmaker at Wembley has been overlooked Ever since Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, Rayan Cherki has been in the headlines. Sterling’s decision to showboat with his kick-ups minutes after City took a 2-0 lead has been a big topic of discussion following Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. Pep Guardiola didn’t look too pleased after Cherki showcased his impeccable close control.
Taking all of that out the equation, Rayan Cherki played an important role in Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal. That has been overlooked amongst the coverage of Cherki performing a few kick ups during a match. Rayan Cherki played an important role for Manchester City as they beat Arsenal at Wembley.
During the first half of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side was frustrated by Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal set up with a strong defensive block that didn’t allow Manchester City any space to operate in in the centre of the pitch. Rayan Cherki was getting on the ball in the first half but he didn’t have any space in which to operate.
At halftime, Pep Guardiola made a clever tactical move. Cherki took up a position on the right, where Antoine Semenyo was having joy against Arsenal left-back Piero Hancapié. This move gave City a more pronounced threat on the right, which became crucial throughout the second half.
Rayan Cherki immediately got the ball in more dangerous positions out on the right. He drifted around the pitch as he so often does also, but being on the right did throw out Arsenal’s defence. Mikel Arteta’s side already had their hands full with Antoine Semenyo before Cherki moved out to the right.