July, 19 (AP):

Seven months after leaving Pep Guardiola’s side, Mikel Arteta outwitted his mentor to ensure his first season as Arsenal manager will end with an FA Cup final.

In only his 25th match as a manager, Arteta masterminded a 2-0 victory — secured by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s double — that ended Manchester City’s title defense this morning.

It was a cup won as part of a treble last season when Arteta was assistant to Guardiola at City and fans were still allowed to pack into the national stadium.

Just a few hundred key personnel were allowed into Wembley for Saturday’s semifinal as the 90,000-capacity was largely empty for the first time for a top-level game due to ongoing pandemic restrictions.