Man City vs Arsenal

Manchester City face Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday at the Etihad Stadium; follow live build-up and coverage across Sky Sports digital ...

For what people think, I accept it because I probably wouldn't have had the career I had as a player, the understanding of the game or the purpose that I had as a player if he hadn't been there at that time. Even so, a trip to City in any competition presents perhaps the toughest test in the country. "I feel gratitude because [Pep] inspired me as a player and he inspires me and gave me the opportunities as a coach. Arteta is one from one against his old boss in the FA Cup. I was looking at him and I just wanted to achieve what he was doing. I loved the way he played, the way he was transmitting on the pitch and understanding what was happening. "He's an Arsenal supporter, for the fact he used to captain there and he loves the club. Just like in his playing days, he is determined to cast off labels of a Guardiola impersonator and be his own man. "I have never tried to copy and paste anything because I don't feel it, this club deserves much better than that and it wouldn't work that way," Arteta said. And for one week, the title race has been put on hold as attention turns to the FA Cup, with Arsenal chasing a domestic double at the expense of his old boss. "I remember that when we were together here, when we scored a lot of goals with other opponents he always jumped and celebrated - except [against] one team. After one pre-season friendly, Pep took aside the nervous 16-year-old, desperate to make a positive impression, and gave him a full run down and appraisal of his performance.

While Arsenal and Manchester City battle for the Premier League title, their jockeying extends to the FA Cup as the two teams clash at the Etihad Stadium in ...

— Saka isn't firing away at a necessarily high level, but he's picking his spots well, and as a result has grabbed at least one shot on target in four of their past five Premier League games. Since Jesus picked up an injury at the World Cup, Saka has re-emerged as a main attacking threat up front for Arsenal. Additionally, both teams have been poor finishing in the first half, only to get better in front of net after the break. Meanwhile, Arsenal have picked up multiple second-half goals in three of their past five Premier League games. It's easy to envision a Man City win in this match in front of the home fans, but on current form, it feels more like a coin flip, and in that case, the odds heavily favor the Gunners. Additionally, City have had Arsenal's number head-to-head a few times recently, including a 2-1 result their last time out in Premier League play on New Year's Day 2022 that saw Bernardo Silva snatch Man City a deserved win late. - Martin Odegaard of Arsenal has collected 4.39 xA (expected assists) in Premier League play this season, fourth in the league. The only concern lies with Phil Foden who has picked up a foot issue, which forced him out of last weekend's Premier League win over Wolves. Arsenal have held a lead atop the league table for months but have only Arsenal may be leading the Premier League table, but Man City remain the favorites at home in this match by a considerable margin. The Premier League title race is clearly the top priority, and both sides are still alive in European competition as well, with Man City preparing for a