Guardiola insists City will improve

MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola failed to understand how Raheem Sterling's goal was ruled out in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal at Wembley, but insists his side will become a stronger team next season.

Despite a rugged first-half display, the Gunners fell behind thanks to Sergio Aguero's second-period strike, but showed resilience and responded through Nacho Monreal's equaliser before Alexis Sanchez booked their place in next month's final in extra-time.

In arguably Arsenal's biggest game of the season, Wenger's men dug deep and fought for the victory.

REBOUND

Earlier, however, Sterling smashed home a rebound off Petr Cech in the first-half - but the ball was ruled to have drifted out of play beforehand from Leroy Sane's cross. Replays suggested the linesman made the wrong call, which left the Spaniard bemused by the decision.

"The linesman could not see that situation," Guardiola said. "And to see that ball you have to be in line and when you are four or five metres away you cannot see it.

"The game was the game and during 90 minutes in games like this, in a semi-final that is like a final, you cannot expect to control all the situations but we controlled most of the time. They played long balls to (Olivier) Giroud, and used the counter attack with the quality of their players, set-pieces they are a tall team and they beat us.

"We had a good performance, we played like you have to play a final. We did absolutely everything to play, like for example, like Tottenham, so it's congratulations to Arsenal and Chelsea for a trip to the final.

"We will improve next season, we'll be stronger, all the games away against the Premier League teams."

Gunners boss Wenger said: "I felt it was a big test for us, a mental test, because many people question if we can turn up on an occasion like this and that's why I'm very proud of the players because they stayed united and determined.

"We always looked solid and dangerous because we played more in the second half."