Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Manchester City take on Arsenal in the second of the F.A. Cup Semi Finals, we already know who the first finalist will be after Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Tottenham yesterday evening, but who will also be booking their place for a Wembley return next month.
Manchester City have a big week in store not only do they have this encounter with Arsenal this afternoon but they also have the small matter of the Manchester Derby on Thursday when Pep Guardiola once again goes head to head with Jose Mourinho.
They have won a fixture a piece in the two derbies that have already taken place this season, Guardiola drew first blood in the league while Mourinho settled the score with a win in the EFL Cup Final. Who will end up winning the rubber match late next week?
That is still four days away and City boss Pep Guardiola can ill afford to look past Today with a view to next week as although Arsenal have been stuttering as of late they will still want to add a third F.A. Cup success in the space of four seasons.
The Gunners’ season is by no means a write off just yet what with this Cup Semi Final and also the fact they sit 6th in the Premier League with the Champions League qualification places by no means a foregone conclusion. They find themselves seven points behind their opponents today albeit with a game in hand.
And they will look to use this tie against City as a platform to kick on in the final few games of the season. Should they manage to progress to the final then an air of belief will once again be allowed to circle around The Emirates, something that has been missing as of late.
Arsenal will also look to the Manchester Derby on Thursday as they will hope that Manchester United will do them a favour and take all three points back to Old Trafford. It may make the race for 4th even tighter but it least it means Arsenal are part of the race and not just watching from the outskirts.
On Monday Arsene Wenger utilised a 3-4-3 formation to the surprise of many. Whether that was trying something new with next season in mind or as a trial run for how they will set up against Manchester City remains to be seen, I have a feeling it will be the former but I am ready to be surprised.
The Gunners set up in a new look and managed to get the better of Middlesbrough at The Riverside Stadium. Mesut Ozil put the away side ahead and although it looked nervy at one point when Alvaro Negredo leveled it was down to Alexis Sanchez to secure a vital three points.
Many have questioned the performances of Ozil and Sanchez as of late as their contract talks continue to roll on. On too many occasions they have gone missing when it mattered, in fairness they stood up when required on Monday but they are going to have to do more of the same to get the better of City at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola’s men made easy work of Southampton last Saturday as they made it back to back victories. It was a 3-1 win over Hull at The Etihad a fortnight ago and it was 3-o at St Mary’s as they brushed past The Saints on Easter Weekend.
Jesus is usually resurrected at Easter but this time around he is going to be a week late, that is because Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Jesus is set to feature this afternoon as he returns from the broken foot he sustained against Bournemouth in February.
Another key player for City who has returned as of late is Vincent Kompany. He has featured in both of City’s recent successes and it’s fair to say that many fans regardless of allegiance would have been pleased to see him end his injury hell when he opened the scoring against Southampton last weekend.
The relief was palpable as you could see Kompany roar with delight as all the frustration that had built up over the months due to countless injury setbacks had finally been relieved. His presence will undoubtedly be a massive boost for the clubs run in.
That is one centre back who has returned but it’s not all good news as John Stones misses out with the thigh injury which ruled him out of the win over Southampton. Therefore expect to see Nicolas Otamendi paired up with Kompany at the centre of defence.
Arsene Wenger has injury concerns of his own as Shkodran Mustafi, Danny Welbeck, Lucas Perez, David Ospina and Santi Cazorla all miss out. Cazorla is a long term absentee while Perez is a fringe player but the other three will no doubt be sorely missed.
How much of a bearing on the result will that have can be argued but City will certainly fancy their chances when they look at Arsenal’s list of absentees. But it should still be a very evenly matched encounter especially if the 2-2 draw in the league last month is anything to go by.
City were quickest out of the blocks that afternoon but were pegged back not once but twice by Arsenal. In fairness though City never really looked like they wanted to get out of third gear as the game petered out into something exhibition.
But you can absolutely bet that will not be the case later on. Who takes it, City will be the favourites although Arsenal are certainly no slouches when it comes to this competition. I’m going to do my best sitting on the fence impression for this one and just sit back and enjoy it.
