Pep Guardiola conceded he was unhappy with his players as they failed to capitalise on his successful prediction of Mikel Arteta’s tactics in the FA Cup game.
Man City were completely swept aside by Arsenal in a shocking 2-0 loss to the Gunners, with Guardiola’s former assistant in charge in the opposite dug-out.
Guardiola says he knew Arteta would play five at the back after the club’s shock win over Liverpool and was annoyed to see his players underperform.
Guardiola told BT Sport: ‘We didn’t play good. The only regret is not to lose the game – that can happen – but it is that we did not play the first half like we play the second.
‘We did not play good and on a day when you had to, we did not. ‘We started low and without the way you have to play. ‘We are always ready many times but today we were not.
‘I knew they play five at the back and with high pressing. They defended well.
‘It happened against Liverpool too so we knew it. But we were not good. We have to play good to go through.
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‘Now we have two weeks so we want to play the final [of the Champions League]. We want to be in rhythm. It is the last opportunity we have to go through [to win another trophy].’
Arsenal will now play either Chelsea or Manchester United in the FA Cup final that will take place on August 1.
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard’s side and Solskjaer’s team go toe-to-toe at Wembley on Sunday.
