Arsenal will face Manchester City in the 2019/20 FA Cup semi-finals tie on Saturday night with a place in the final up for grabs.
The defending Champions who missed out on the Premier League trophy this season will be looking to win the competition once again to make up for the lost league title. However, that will not come easy as they will have to beat Arsenal who are record holders of the FA Cup having won it on 13 occasions in their history.
Arsenal will be going into this game at the back of a deserving 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the English top flight on Wednesday night, which looks to have boosted their morale. The Gunners still have hopes of securing an Europa League spot but will have to depend on other teams losing points while they do themselves more good by winning their games.
The Citizens have already swooped the League Cup and now prepare to make it a domestic double with their pursuit of the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola’s side beat Mikel Arteta’s team in all two encounters they had in the league this season, winning twice with a 3-0 scoring at the Emirates Stadium and the Etihad Stadium respectively.
The last time the two teams met in this competitions was during the 2016/17 campaign where Arsenal beat City in the semi-final by a 2-1 scoreline before going on to defeat Chelsea in the final with same score.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date: Saturday, July 18
Time: 18:45 (GMT)
TEAM NEWS
A number of Arsenal stars were handed rest in the game against the Reds in a bid to get them fully prepared for this tie. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Dani Ceballos were among those rested though they played the last 30 minutes of the game.
Hector Bellerin was also an unused substitute and should be back in the starting line-up against City. But their injury concern still remains with Bernd Leno, Pablo Mari, Gabriel Martinelli and Calum Chambers all out, while Eddie Nketiah is also suspended.
For City, Aymeric Laporte and Kevin De Bruyne were not involved against Bournemouth in their last game, while Raheem Sterling will be expected to head straight into the starting XI.
With Claudio Bravo designated for the FA Cup games, he could be in the sticks against the north London side.
POSSIBLE STARTING XIs
Arsenal: Martinez; Mustafi, Luiz, Tierney; Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, Saka; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Man City: Bravo; Walker, Fernandinho, Laporte, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Sterling, Jesus, Bernardo
PREDICTION
Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City
