Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

News

HomeNewsArsenalEnglish Premier LeagueManchester City

Bacary Sagna predicts Arsenal’s FA Cup clash against Manchester City

Will Butcher

Thu 16 July 2020 18:15, UK

that he reckons Arsenal will beat Manchester City on Saturday evening in the FA Cup semi-final at the Wembley Stadium – but reckons the clash will go into extra-time.

The Gunners have been drawn against Pep Guardiola’s side which sees Mikel Arteta take on the side that he left to join Arsenal as manager. It is a battle of the master and his apprentice.

Arsenal secured a place in the last four after Dani Ceballos scored a late winner against Sheffield United in the quarter-final. They come into the match after winning five of their last seven, including a win over Liverpool.

Asked to predict the outcome of the semi-final between the two sides, Sagna – who played for Arsenal and Manchester City – reckons The Gunners will progress into the semi-finals, but only after 120 minutes are played.

“I see extra-time, I see Arsenal winning because of their record in the FA Cup. It will be tricky for Mikel, we all know City – they play with a lot of confidence,”

TBR’s view – Gunners have their work cut out

Guardiola rested his key players following the narrow win over Bournemouth, with Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Rodri all on the bench. City will be in full flow come Saturday evening.

But Arsenal will be confident. Arteta is starting to implement his aggressive style of play, and the likes of Dani Ceballos, Kieran Tierney, Granit Xhaka and Lacazette are improving. It will be an intriguing battle.

Certainly, it promises to be a different kind of match to the first game after the restart – which saw City run out 3-0 winners.