A spicy match here in the FA Cup, the two will look to continue as both battle for winning multiple trophies this season.
City of course last time out won 3-0 vs a Wolves side on the hands of an Erling Haaland hattrick. Arsenal, saw a win vs Manchester United as they dominated through large stretches.
It should be a great match as both look to win and advance on to the next round.
Team News
For Man City, Phil Foden is questionable.
Arsenal will see Jesus, Elneny and Nelson out or questionable.
Prediction
Manchester City 3-2 Arsenal
At long last, Manchester City v Arsenal FC part I has arrived. The top two teams in the Premier League face off in the FA Cup in the first of a trifecta of matches that will define this season for both clubs. Sky Blue News has the latest headlines to get you ready for all the action.
Since City suffered back-to-back defeats, Pep Guardiola has seemingly made a statement with his team selections, choosing players who are currently ‘hungriest’ to get the club’s season back on track.
The Catalan is expected to field a similar team here, but with the cup competitions a little lower down the list of priorities, we may see a few changes.
Phil Foden is the club’s only potential absentee, having missed the previous two games due to a foot injury he sustained at Old Trafford earlier this month.
Guardiola gave an update on the 22-year-old’s fitness today, stating that he is ‘getting better’ and that he will be ‘assessed’ before tomorrow.
Stefan Ortega is likely to return in between the sticks. Ruben Dias will be eyeing his first start since injury at the heart of the Citizens backline, alongside any of the club’s other four top defenders.
Rico Lewis has continued his remarkable rise in the senior squad, starting the past two games; he may earn another start – though Kyle Walker may be given another chance coming up against Arsenal’s new man Leandro Trossard.
Pep Talk: “So we have to prove ourselves….” – Saul Garcia – Bitter and Blue
Pep talked about injuries, expectations, the match and much more. Let’s dive in-
“It is getting better, we have training this afternoon.”
“It’s a different competition,” said Pep.
“It’s the FA Cup. It’s a final. And of course, it’s more than Arsenal – it’s about proving ourselves – how is our level?
“When a team makes 50 points in one leg, it’s because they have been the best and they are.
“So we have to prove ourselves, how far away or how close we are and the best way to notice is perform our best level.
“Otherwise against a team in that moment, it will be difficult.”
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Arteta set the tone with words of praise for Guardiola’s impact on his career and coaching style.
He also pointed out the mixture of emotions that comes with challenging his mentor and the man who has dominated English football since arriving in 2016.
“It’s a strange feeling,” said Arteta.
“I want the best for him, genuinely, and when you are challenging with someone like this, something comes in between that.
“That’s not going to change any friendship, the moments that we have, how important he is in my life, how important he is in my profession.
Unlike last season when the Portuguese was usually the first defender on the team sheet for most of the campaign, he has started only nine games this time around. He also contributed two goals and four assists to help the team secure the league title. So far this term, there has been no contribution in that regard.
But perhaps the most significant area has been in his primary duty on the pitch; stopping the opposing team from scoring.
So far City have been sloppy in defence during the last 15 minutes of games. It’s a new habit that has cost the team valuable points in the title race.
All three of City’s losses this season have come as a result of late goals. Against Liverpool at Anfield, Brentford at the Etihad Stadium, and more recently, Manchester United at Old Trafford. In all cases, City’s backline has been more or less experimental.
Dias was sidelined due to injury in the last two with the team struggling to keep up with Mikel Arteta’s side in the race. The Blues are now in a do-or-die situation with Arsenal. Sorting out things at the back will be vital to make up ground.
The pair both won four Premier League titles during their time with the Sky Blues, making over 350 appearances between themselves for Pep Guardiola.
Jesus moved to North London for a reported £45 million, while Zinchenko signed for Arsenal as part of a £32 million deal.
Both have played important roles in Mikel Arteta’s bid to win the Premier League title, with the Gunners currently five points clear of City at the top of the table.
Zinchenko could come up against his former club on Friday night, although Jesus remains sidelined with a long-term injury sustained at the FIFA World Cup.
