Sports

AMMAN — Competitive Tennis will return to Jordan in October after the federation confirmed that it will host a national event following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The national teams have resumed daily training under the instruction of head coach, Rafeeq Bushlaka; coach, Ahmad Hadeed; and fitness coach, Haitham Abu Al Rub.

President Hazem Addas said that the federation maintained contact with all players during the lockdown period and praised the role of coaches in keeping the players fit and healthy through home training. “It was hard at times for all of us, but now training is back and we are all so excited to get back to it,” he said.

AMMAN — Drift star Ahmad Daham has again teamed up with Lexus, this time to develop the most powerful, most advanced drift car on the planet, according to a statement from the Red Bull Media Service.

The build set out to not only to develop on the success of Daham previous RC F Drift effort, but also to showcase Lexus top-flight performance-craft to the global Drift community. 

This Red Bull athlete’s latest FIA Drift-spec machine is a 1,200HP RC F-based weapon weighing 1250kg/2755lb – covered in a bespoke featherweight Carbon Kevlar body shell. 

Moreover, there was a purpose and a focus to this build beyond just raw power and speed. Daham’s RC F Carbon Kevlar, which he hopes to be using in drift championships around the world, involves an obsessive attention to detail in the chassis, powertrain, and presentation that elevates the craft of its execution to mirror Lexus levels of takumi car-building.

The result is a unique, world-class drift car that, even in a region renowned for high-power ultimate-level builds, is truly exceptional.

Daham chose the Lexus RC F as the platform for his latest project after building his first RC F drift car which thrilled the crowds on its debut at The Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019.

“Building a car like this took so much effort not only from me, but from the team and partners to help me achieve my goals with this machine. I would like to thank every single partner for their continuous support and labour done to complete this project,” Daham said.

This car has many refinements over the first RC F drift car, not least because Daham had more time to build it. The first car was conceived and built in a record 70 days and stands as testament to the builder’s capability and resourcefulness. 

Two themes are central to the latest RC F Carbon Kevlar drift car — more power and less weight. The weight loss over the standard RCF was achieved by thoroughly rethinking the stripped platform and then fabricating this race vehicle using materials focused on weight reduction. In addition, mass was also more optimally positioned in the chassis to support car’s drift mission.

Python Garage fabricated super-light Carbon-Kevlar body panels helping the whole car shave more than 500kg off the showroom RC F as part of the mission to achieve a weight that is competitive with other drifters.

The power part of the equation has been provided by inserting a heavily tuned version of the tuner-favourite 2JZ straight-six single turbo motor in place of the standard car’s naturally aspirated V8 that provides 1,200HP — four times the standard output.

The iron-blocked 2JZ motor, which drives through a four-speed Samsonas sequential gearbox and twin-plate Competition Clutch, was chosen due to the wide variety of readily available tuning parts. 

The 2JZ’s legendary robustness, compact size and familiar architecture have made it a proven source of motivation for high output drift efforts around the globe. Daham’s years of familiarity with this engine also helps make it easier to tune, modify and adjust quickly at drift events. 

Key tuning components include a Garrett GTX3584 turbocharger, GSC Power Division valve train and a triple-pump fuel system from Radium Engineering. 

A Titan Motorsport dry sump has been added to improve reliability and a Nitrous Express 200HP kit bolted on to help spool up the turbo and cool the intake charge.

Since keeping a close eye on all these systems is critical to drift success, Daham has included his preferred equipment from New Zealand’s Link company — a Thunder ECU and MXS Strada dash. 

With the power and the weight where Daham wanted them, he turned his attention to the chassis tuning to make the most of the changes. 

The most significant alterations include swapping the rear differential for a Winters unit — purely to enable swift trackside ratio changes. And the replacement of the brakes with Wilwood racing callipers, to reduce unsprung mass — which enables faster changes of direction.

FIGs Engineering was tapped to make the angle kit, a drift car essential. Three-way BC racing coilovers are used to allow adjustments to both rebound and compression damping to allow Daham to perfect his set up.

The finishing touches are a set of Japan’s finest Rays Engineering 57CR wheels riding on R888R TOYO rubber.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, Spain — Frenchman Fabio Quartararo won for the second straight week at Jerez on Sunday as he dominated the Andalucia MotoGP while bikes crashed and broke down behind him in searing heat.

Quartararo, on a satellite Yamaha, was followed home by Spaniard Maverick Vinales and Italian veteran Valentino Rossi, both on Yamaha factory bikes.

With the temperature reaching 40oC and estimated at 60oC on the track, only 13 of the 21 starters finished.

“That was tough,” said the 21-year-old at the finish.

He has now won both races in the coronavirus-delayed MotoGP season, with last week’s Spanish Grand Prix success the first by a French rider in MotoGP since 1999.

Quartararo has now won more races at the elite level than he did in four seasons in Moto2, where he recorded one victory, and Moto3, where he twice made the podium but never won.

“It feels so good to make back to back wins,” he said.

Quartararo has a 50-point lead over the reigning champion Marc Marquez, who was absent with a broken arm after his crash in the season opener. 

Vinales is second on 40 points after finishing runner up for the second straight race. 

Vinales rued a mistake on the first lap.

“I tried to overtake Fabio but then I went wide and Fabio and Valentino overtook me,” he said.

As Quartararo burst clear, Rossi, who started on the second row of the grid, jumped to second, overtaking Vinales, who said that he had struggled to cope in his teammate’s exhaust.

“It was impossible to breath,” Vinales said. “I was stuck behind Valentino and I could not breath. I was destroyed. Maybe the heat from the other bikes.”

While Quartararo disappeared ahead in the heat haze, the two Yamaha works riders had to fend off challenges from the Ducati-Pramac pair of Italian Francesco Bagnaia, who climbed to second before his engine failed, and Australian Jack Miller, who crashed.

Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami (Honda-LCR) inherited fourth place. 

‘He’s my idol’

Rossi showed that, at 41, he is still capable of competing. The seven-time MotoGP world champion has always enjoyed cheeky celebrations, and this time climbed onto a barrier and punched the air in a victory dance in front of a grandstand completely empty due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“To come back on the podium is not like a victory, but similar,” he said.

Quartararo, who makes no secret of his admiration for Rossi, agreed.

“He’s my idol and always has been,” said the young Frenchman. “It’s fantastic to be next to him on the podium for my second win.”

As he took the chequered flag, Quartararo also nodded to another sporting hero crossing his arms in an imitation of France striker Kylian Mbappe’s goal celebration.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Mbappe, who is nursing an injured ankle, responded on Twitter: “Congratulations. We can say that you have good taste... 10/10.”

Briton Cal Crutchlow, who returned to the track on a misfiring bike when it became clear that every finisher would collect points and limped in more than a lap behind to pocket three of them.

With Marquez missing, his younger brother and Honda teammate Alex, on only his second start at this level, set off 21st and last on the grid after a crash in qualifying but climbed to eighth by the end.

Earlier, Enea Bastianini gained his first Moto2 victory when he beat fellow Italian Luca Marini.

Japanese rider Tetsuta Nagashima, who crashed in practice, could only manage 11th, but kept the championship lead, two points ahead of Bastianini. 

Marco Bezzechi, who started from pole position, finished third, completing an all-Italian podium.

In Moto3, Japan’s Tatsuki Suzuki won as championship leader Albert Arenas crashed on lap 15.

Suzuki, who started from pole, scored his second victory in the class and climbed to second in the championship behind Spaniard Arenas who had won the first two races of the season.

AMMAN — Jordan’s swimmer are back in the pool after the long interruption to training caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite uncertainty still surrounding the international calendar, the swimmers are aiming to get back to top shape with an intensive training programme under way, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) News Service. Federation President Ihab Abu Numrah said: “We are back in the Olympic pool in Al Hussein Youth City and following the strict health procedures identified by the JOC to keep all of us safe.

During lockdown, our swimmers maintained their fitness at home as the pools were all closed, so now we have set a plan to return them to competitive fitness.” Abu Numrah added that the Feseration has also been monitoring the fitness of US-based Olympic swimmer, Khader Baqleh, who will soon be joined in the USA by Amro Al Wir and Mohammad Al Bdour who will both also be studying there. The federation has confirmed that it will organise its first national event early September without crowd attendance.

LONDON — The Premier League will finally reach the end of its longest season on Sunday with plenty still on the line at both ends of the table.

Manchester United and Leicester face each other in a shootout for a place in the Champions League next season with Chelsea also hoping to secure their place in the top four.

Wolves and Tottenham are vying for one place in the Europa League.

And at the bottom it could not be closer with one goal separating Aston Villa just outside the relegation zone from Watford in the bottom three, while Bournemouth also have a chance of beating the drop.

Leicester fell out of the top four for the first time since September in midweek after a run of three wins in 13 games either side of the coronavirus shutdown.

However, United’s and Chelsea’s failures to win on Wednesday means the door is still open for Brendan Rodgers’s men to salvage all the good work they did early in the season with victory on home soil on Sunday.

Leicester are hampered by injuries to James Maddison, Ben Chilwell and Ricardo Pereira, but have had a full week to prepare in stark contrast to United’s packed schedule.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have looked jaded in the past week in losing 3-1 to Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinals and being held 1-1 at home by West Ham.

United have overturned an eight-point deficit to Leicester since the restart, but Rodgers is hoping it is the Red Devils who fold under the pressure.

“We would love to be able to do that but when you are a club like Manchester United, or one of those super clubs, there is a need to be in the Champions League for many reasons,” said Rodgers.

Chelsea just need a point at home to Wolves to seal Champions League football next season, but should Frank Lampard’s men lose, then a draw between Leicester and United would see the latter two finish in the top four.

Whoever misses out on the Champions League between United, Chelsea and Leicester will be guaranteed fifth and a place in the Europa League next season.

Wolves are looking to go one better than their fine first campaign back in the top-flight last season by finishing in the top six and have the potential to upset Chelsea’s push for the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

However, any slip from Nuno Espirito Santo’s men would give Spurs the chance to move into sixth.

Jose Mourinho’s side have won their last three and will be confident ahead of a trip to Crystal Palace, who have lost their last seven games.

Seventh could still be good enough for European football next season, but that depends on Chelsea beating Arsenal in the FA Cup final on August 1.

At the bottom, two of Bournemouth, Watford and Villa will join already relegated Norwich in the Championship next season.

Villa have the upper hand with a three-point lead on Bournemouth and a marginally better goal difference than Watford.

Dean Smith’s men also have momentum after a 1-0 win over Arsenal on Tuesday and travel to a West Ham side now sure of their place in the Premier League next season.

“Results went our way in the week and we’re above the dotted line at the moment,” said Smith.

“The most important thing is to be above that dotted line on Sunday and we know we have to win to guarantee that.”

Watford’s sacking of Nigel Pearson with just two games of the season remaining did the Hornets little good in a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City on Wednesday and they travel to Arsenal needing to better Villa’s result.

Should both lose then Bournemouth could stay in the top-flight by beating Everton.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, Spain  — MotoGP champion Marc Marquez will unexpectedly compete in this weekend's Andalucia Grand Prix after passing a medical check-up on Thursday just 48 hours after he underwent surgery on a broken arm.

The Spaniard's astonishing feat in defying medical odds which had forecast his earliest return as next month was announced by his Honda team.

"Fit to ride," Honda tweeted, alongside a photo of the Spaniard giving the thumbs up riding pillion on a scooter after his medical at the Jerez circuit.

The six-time elite world champion was not expected to recover in time until the Czech Grand Prix in August.

But the 27-year-old's single-mindedness in wanting to deny his rivals a chance to steal an early march in the coronavirus-shortened season's title race looks to have paid off.

Although Honda later said his prospects of being on Sunday's grid would hinge on how he came through Saturday's practices and qualifying.

"Originally, clearly Honda's position was not to run at this race and try to run in Brno," said Honda boss Alberto Puig.

"But after what we saw and heard from Marc and the doctors, who declared him fit, we came to an understanding.

"He will try on Saturday and depending on how he is feeling he will try to race but we asked him to check on Saturday first to really understand if he's capable of doing the distance."

Puig added that "from last Sunday to today things have gone very quickly and frankly we are surprised".

'Superhuman'

News of his intention to try and ride broke earlier Thursday when Honda announced that "after a successful operation on Tuesday, @MarcMarquez93 is heading back to Jerez", the scene of his crash in last Sunday's opening Spanish Grand Prix.

The sport's official website MotoGP.com lauded his effort as "superhuman".

Marquez had fallen heavily after losing control of his bike and sliding across gravel and was taken away from the track in an ambulance.

The surgery was carried out in a hospital in Barcelona where he had a titanium plate fitted into his right arm.

His lightning return to the saddle in a bid not miss an opportunity to bolster his chances in the title race will come as bad news for those chasing the crown he won in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

If he clinches a seventh title he will draw level with Valentino Rossi, the Italian motorcycling legend who defied medical predictions himself when competing in the 2017 Aragon Grand Prix 19 days after breaking his leg.

But former world champion Jorge Lorenzo holds the bragging rights on remarkable returns from injury, lining up in the 2013 Assen Grand Prix a mere two days after breaking his collarbone.

With only 13 confirmed races in this compacted campaign Marquez was desperate not to fall too far behind in the championship with the nascent standings led by Yamaha's French rider Fabio Quartararo who showed his ambitions by taking his maiden MotoGP victory in the delayed curtain-raiser last weekend.

He leads on 25 points from Maverick Vinales on 20 and Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso on 16 points.

The news of Marquez's quicker than expected comeback lit up social media, with fans paying tribute to his hardiness.

"@MotoGP @marcmarquez93 Absolute machine", was one, another tweeted: "Me, I get a cold and don't want to do anything for 2 weeks."

Marquez was not the only casualty from last Sunday's race receiving the all-clear for Sunday's second leg of the championship. LCR-Honda's Cal Crutchlow who required surgery on his left wrist and Suzuki's Alex Rins (shoulder injury) also passed their medicals.

MILAN — Cristiano Ronaldo is eyeing more records as Juventus head for Udinese on Thursday with a ninth consecutive Serie A title within their grasp.

Ronaldo scored a double on Monday against Lazio to bring his tally to 51 Serie A goals since arriving in Turin in July 2018.

The 35-year-old not only became the first player to achieve a half century of goals in Italy, Spain and England, but was also the fastest, doing so in 61 league games.

Last year the five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 21 goals in his first season in Italy, but thanks to his brace against Lazio he brought his tally to 30 this term, with four games remaining.

Another goal would see him match former Italy World Cup winner Felice Borel, who was the last player to score 31 goals for Juventus in the 1933-34 season. 

For Ronaldo the title of top scorer — ‘Capocannoniere’ — is up for grabs, as he is currently level on 30 with Lazio’s Ciro Immobile.

And he could even overtake Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, the top scorer in Europe with 34 goals in the Bundesliga this season.

There is also the record of Argentine teammate Gonzalo Higuain, who was Serie A top scorer under Sarri at Napoli in the 2015-16 season with 36 goals.

“Cristiano is unpredictable,” said Sarri. “If he puts his mind to something, he’s very determined.

“Not only physically, but, above all, mentally: he is a champion with his feet, but also with his head.”

‘Give your all’

“Very important victory! We’re almost there guys! Let’s go,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram after the Lazio game.

Juventus can seal the title with a win over 16th-placed Udinese, but it depends on Inter Milan, who are eight points behind the champions, losing to Fiorentina at the San Siro on Wednesday.

Otherwise they could win their 36th Scudetto on Sunday, at home against Sampdoria, giving Sarri, 61, his first league title.

It would allow them to start preparing for the Champions League, and overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit against French club Lyon in the last 16 next month.

“Juventus are still the best side in the league,” said Inter boss Antonio Conte, who coached the Turin side to the first three titles in their current run of league triumphs.

“They’re set to win their ninth Scudetto in a row. We can learn from them.

“We’ve got to keep trying to improve, to be more involved in the title race, so we can eventually get our hands on the Scudetto.”

Inter Milan, who have not won the title since their historic treble in 2010 under Jose Mourinho, are, however, assured of a Champions League place next season. 

“It’s great that we’ve achieved this goal,” continued Conte, “it was one of the club’s main requests, to improve our results compared to previous seasons and to steady the ship so that things aren’t so hectic at the end of the season.” 

Against Franck Ribery’s Fiorentina they were held 1-1 earlier this season, with the 12th-placed Tuscany side coming off back-to-back wins.

“They’ve got a good squad of players, they’re a good team and Giuseppe Iachini is doing a great job as coach,” added Conte.

“They’ll be unfazed by us, but when you’re up against Inter you always have the motivation to give your all.”

Lazio, in fourth, play at Cagliari after their league hopes were dashed at Juventus on Monday. They too are also poised to return to the Champions League after 13 years, as they are 11 points clear of fifth-placed Roma.

TURIN, Italy — Cristiano Ronaldo put Juventus on the brink of a ninth consecutive Italian league title on Monday after he scored twice in a 2-1 win over Lazio to become the first player to hit 50 goals in Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League.

Juventus ended a three-match winless run thanks to Ronaldo’s second-half brace that moves them eight points clear of second-placed Inter Milan with four games remaining.

Maurizio Sarri’s side could win the title on Thursday against lowly Udinese, or on Sunday at home against Sampdoria, depending on their rivals’ results this week.

“We are missing four points, only after we have achieved them will we then be able to think about the goal achieved,” said Sarri.

“All the games are difficult now, and in the space of six days, we play three games. So, we must stay focused and think about securing the missing points.”

Sarri added: “Cristiano is an impressive player because he has the extraordinary ability to complete a quick recovery between games.

“Not only physically, but, above all, mentally: he is a champion with his feet, but also with his head.”

Ronaldo grabbed the first goal from the penalty spot just after the break and was handed a tap-in three minutes later by teammate Paulo Dybala.

The Portuguese has scored 30 goals this season, equal with Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, who ended his three-match drought with a late penalty. His second was his 50th goal in Serie A, after also passing the landmark in England and Spain.

The 35-year-old is now looking to become the first player to finish top scorer in three of the top five European leagues after doing so England and Spain.

“Records are always important, but the team victory is more important,” said Ronaldo.

“I’m helping the team to win. It’s important to win the title. There are four games left and we know that Serie A is a difficult championship.”

Lazio regrets

Lazio’s hopes of a first Serie A title since 2000 are effectively over as the defeat leaves them fourth, 11 points adrift of the leaders.

Just one point had separated Juventus from Lazio when Serie A returned last month following the three-month coronavirus lockdown.

But Simone Inzaghi’s side have been hit by injuries and poor form since the return, losing five of eight games, with four of those defeats coming in the last five matches.

Both sides had early chances with Felipe Caicedo coming close early for the visitors behind closed doors at the Allianz Stadium, and an Alex Sandro header clipping the woodwork.

Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha got his hand to push an angled Adrien Rabiot effort over the bar with Ronaldo heading wide.

An Immobile rocket from the edge of the box hit the bottom of the post with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny beaten.

Lazio could thank defender Manuel Lazzari for a goal-line clearance just after the break as Dybala threatened and Ronaldo tried to finish amid chaos in front of goal.

But the hosts got their chance when a Bastos handball was confirmed after a VAR review.

Ronaldo stepped up to slot in on 51 minutes and added a second after a Luiz Felipe blunder allowed Dybala to gain possession with the Argentine powering up the pitch, before teeing up the Portuguese to finish off.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner missed the chance of a hat-trick when his header hit the crossbar after 66 minutes.

Lazio pulled a goal back with seven minutes to go after a Bonucci foul on Immobile, who converted the resulting spot-kick.

“There is a bit of regret because after the lockdown we had a lot of problems,” said Inzaghi, whose side had beaten Juventus twice this season, in the reverse league fixture in Rome and the Italian Super Cup final.

“At the end of the game I congratulated the lads because despite the problems we showed character.

“The important thing is we want to celebrate a return to the Champions League after 13 years.”

Lazio are in the final Champions League berth 11 points ahead of city rivals Roma.

LONDON — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted David De Gea’s place is not guaranteed after the goalkeeper endured another error-strewn display in Manchester United’s FA Cup semifinal defeat to Chelsea.

Chelsea will face London rivals Arsenal in the final on August 1 thanks to a pair of embarrassing blunders from De Gea in United’s 3-1 loss at Wembley on Sunday.

The Spaniard’s nightmare season hit a new low as he was at fault when Olivier Giroud’s shot trickled over the line late in the first half.

And De Gea made an even worse mistake moments after the interval when he allowed Mason Mount’s shot to evade his weak attempted save.

Harry Maguire’s own goal was also partly down to De Gea’s slow reactions as United lost for the first time in 20 games in all competitions despite Bruno Fernandes’ late penalty.

“He knows he should save that 100 times out of 100 but that’s football for you,” Solskjaer said.

“I can’t speak for David De Gea’s confidence but he is mentally very strong. I made the decision to play him and mentally he was ready for it.”

Asked if De Gea would be replaced by Sergio Romero when United return to action against West Ham in Wednesday’s crucial Premier League clash, Solskjaer would not rule out dropping his star.

“Obviously, everyone has to perform. Everyone has a chance every time we perform to stake a claim in the team,” he said.

“David knows he should have saved the second goal, but that’s done now and we have to look forward to Wednesday.

“It’s hard for a keeper to make amends. David showed his character in the rest of the game with a few good saves.”

De Gea’s future at United is sure to be scrutinised given the fine form of the club’s on-loan keeper Dean Henderson during his spell at Sheffield United this season.

Solskjaer has already labelled Henderson a future England number one and it would be no surprise if he is back at Old Trafford to challenge De Gea for the keeper’s jersey next season.

While the spotlight was on De Gea, Chelsea were by far the better team as they reached the FA Cup final for the first time since they last lifted the trophy in 2018.

United had beaten Chelsea three times this season, but Lampard had the last laugh.

“To win a semi is a great thing, but to win a final is the thing,” Lampard said.

“We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves but we can certainly enjoy the performance and the result.

“It is obviously right up there because of the size of the game and quality of the opponent.”

Comedy of errors

United, who started with Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial on the bench, looked out of sync after switching to a back three formation and Solskjaer said: “You always question your decisions.

“Chelsea had an extra 48 hours rest, that’s just a fact but it’s no excuse.

“We lost concentration and that was disappointing. We were a little too late in some situations and the second goal was very avoidable.”

Chelsea took the lead deep into first half stoppage-time with Giroud’s fourth goal in his last five games.

Anticipating Azpilicueta’s low cross perfectly, Giroud made an astute run in front of Victor Lindelof and flicked his close-range shot past the slow to react De Gea with the outside of his foot.

If that was bad from De Gea, there was even worse to come one minute after half-time.

It was a comedy of errors from United as Brandon Williams gifted possession to Mount in midfield.

Advancing unchecked by United’s back-pedalling defence, Mount hit a long-range drive that lacked power and should have been saved by De Gea, but instead it squirmed through his grasp into the net.

Chelsea put the result beyond doubt in the 74th minute when Mount found Marcos Alonso and Maguire turned the Spaniard’s cross into his own net under pressure from Antonio Rudiger.

LONDON — Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s “great chemistry” as the secret to their shock 2-0 win over Manchester City as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired his club to a record 21st FA Cup final.

Gunners boss Arteta outwitted City manager Pep Guardiola with an astute counter-attacking scheme, and Aubameyang struck in each half as Arsenal executed the plan to perfection.

Arsenal will face Chelsea or Manchester United, who meet in the other semifinal on Sunday, in the final at Wembley on August 1.

Arteta captained Arsenal to FA Cup triumph six years ago and, in his first season in charge of the north London club, the Spaniard has led them back to the final of a competition they last won in 2017.

“We have great chemistry, they really believe in what we are trying to do and you can sense that. They deserve it,” Arteta said.

“To beat the best you need to take your opportunities and when you have to defend you have to put everybody on the line.

“I’m extremely happy and proud of our players, but it’s very sad we cannot enjoy this moment with our fans.”

Just days after beating Premier League champions Liverpool, Arsenal offered further evidence that Arteta could be the man to restore them to the glory days of the Arsene Wenger era.

Arsenal had lost their previous seven meetings with City, including a 3-0 drubbing in their first game after the coronavirus hiatus.

But, thanks to Arteta’s masterstroke, Arsenal handed Guardiola’s side a first Wembley defeat in their last 10 visits.

“We’ve had an incredible week to beat the best two teams in Europe. It doesn’t happen every day,” Arteta said.

“I don’t care who plays, I can trust them. We made changes and everyone was ready.

“We had to suffer in many moments. We had to be really well organised and minimise the spaces.”

City, unbeaten in their previous 22 domestic cup ties, were well short of their best and Guardiola had no excuses.

“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,” Guardiola said after City mustered just one shot on target, their fewest since 2018 against Liverpool in the Champions League.

“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.”

Rope-a-dope plan

With second place in the Premier League secured, City have to focus on the resumption of their Champions League challenge in August, when they defend a 2-1 first leg lead against Real Madrid in the last 16. 

“Now we have two weeks,” Guardiola said. “We wanted to play the FA Cup final, one week before the Madrid game, to be in rhythm, but we missed this chance.”

Arteta knows City well after his time as Guardiola’s assistant and he set out to exploit their weakness against counter attacks, using Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe to get behind City’s attacking full-backs Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy.

Aubameyang made them pay in the 19th minute.

At the climax of an 18-pass move, Pepe’s deep cross caught Walker dozing and Aubameyang eluded him to slide a fine finish off the far post from a tight angle.

It was the kind of incisive, imaginative attack that City usually torment Arsenal with, but for once it was the men in red celebrating.

The Gabon striker’s 24th goal of the season was a reminder why Arsenal are so desperate to get him to sign a contract extension.

Defending deep, Arsenal were putting their bodies in the way of everything to keep City at bay.

Arteta’s rope-a-dope plan brought a rich reward in the 71st minute.

City left themselves open at the back and Aubameyang beat the offside trap as he accelerated onto Kieran Tierney’s sublime pass before slotting under Ederson.