Arteta focused on another huge challenge for Arsenal

Arsenal v Manchester City – Wembley Stadium – Emirates FA CUP semi-final – Saturday 7:45pm

Arsenal v Manchester City – Preview:

Having unhinged Premier League champions, Liverpool, last time out, Mikel Arteta will be leaving no stone unturned as he attempts to find a chink in the armour of his former club, Manchester City.

With a place in the Emirates FA Cup final at stake, Arteta will be extra keen to get one over his former club and mentor, Pep Guardiola. Nevertheless, the Spaniard recognised the enormity of the task facing his charges.

“That’s what we’ll try to do as much as possible,” the Gunners boss explained. 

“Like any other team, they have some weaknesses, as you mentioned, and as well it’s about stopping their strengths.

“They have a lot. It’s part of any game plan. It’s not about City, it’s about any other opponent we are facing. Tomorrow we will do exactly the same.”

City have won all seven of the previous meetings between the sides. However, Arteta remained focused and positive, explaining: “Yes. But if I look at the trends as well before we played Liverpool, with the calendar year or the last two calendar years that they’ve had, you get depressed. 

“What I need now is energy to transmit to my players, belief and it’s the FA Cup – we have a lot of experience here and we have a history related to that. Let’s go for it.”

Arsenal v Manchester City – Head to head:

Arsenal won: 96

Drawn: 45

Manchester City won: 57

Arsenal v Manchester City – Last five meetings (all competitions):

March 1, 2018 – Premier League

Arsenal 0-3 Manchester City

August 12, 2018 – Premier League

Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City

February 3, 2019 – Premier League

Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal

December 15, 2019 – Premier League

Arsenal 0-3 Manchester City

June 17, 2020 – Premier League

Manchester City 3-0 Arsenal

Jeevesie’s prediction: Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City 

(Quotes courtesy of Arsenal Football Club – www.arsenal.com)