Manchester City vs Arsenal
Arsenal have not had much success against Manchester City since Pep Guardiola came to the Premier League, and that continued this season. City did the double over the Gunners with two 3-0 wins, including one in their first game of the restart.
But Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have made some marked improvements since that comprehensive defeat, and they will now be eager for some revenge as they take on City in the FA Cup semi-final.
The FA Cup 2020 odds are stacked against the Gunners, but things went their way the last time they met City in the semis, so anything can happen.
Talking Points
Arsenal look improved since last City clash
Arsenal are a different side from the one that lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the first game of the restart. Not long after David Luiz’s disastrous performance in that match, Arteta made the big decision to play with a three-man defence.
Since that switch to a back three, which is a much better formation fit for Luiz, the Gunners have gone on to win four of their last six league games. That includes impressive away wins over Southampton and Wolves.
They then had back-to-back setbacks as they could only draw against a struggling Leicester side and lost the North London derby after letting Tottenham score a late winner.
However, they bounced back from those poor results to beat champions Liverpool, 2-1. Alexandre Lacazette once again had a strong game as he scored their first goal and set up the other. The French forward has now scored in three of his last four games.
Arsenal still beat Liverpool despite not starting a full-strength line-up. Arteta opted to rest the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sead Kolasinac, Hector Bellerin, and Dani Ceballos, who made one of the top FA Cup 2020 highlights when he scored the winning goal against Sheffield United to send Arsenal to the semi-final.
Aubameyang hasn’t played a single minute in the FA Cup this season, but Arteta will almost surely have him included the starting line-up against City.
City back to crushing opponents
Manchester City celebrated their successful appeal against their Champions League ban with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in midweek.
It was an uncharacteristically poor attacking game from City. They had just eight shots in total against Bournemouth, who are one of the worst defences in the league. They also needed goalkeeper Ederson to make some key stops.
Although, City were without star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who was rested, while Raheem Sterling played just the second half as Pep Guardiola likely had one eye on this semi-final.
City also didn’t need to exert too much effort since they were already two goals up heading into half-time. David Silva’s brilliant free-kick put them up after just six minutes, and he set up Gabriel Jesus for their second six minutes from the break.
Jesus has been on a fine run of form of late. The Brazilian striker, who’s taken over as City’s lead striker after Sergio Aguero’s injury, now has three goals and two assists in his last three games and has 13 league goals overall, tying his personal best.
Despite losing twice in their eight games since the restart, City have looked like their old dominant selves in attack. Prior to the Bournemouth match, they had won their last two games against Newcastle and Brighton 5-0.
City have scored the most goals since the restart (25) and have conceded the fewest (four), although they’ve played one game more.
History
Since Pep Guardiola’s arrival in Manchester in 2016, City have completely dominated Arsenal. They’ve beaten the Gunners in seven of their last eight Premier League meetings.
Although, Arsenal did knock City out of the 2017 FA Cup, which also happened to be in the semi-final stage. Alexis Sanchez’s winner saw the Gunners through in extra time.
Arsenal went on to win the FA Cup once again that year; it was their third time they’d done so in four years.
Betting Tip
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Manchester City vs Arsenal | Manchester City Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.94 |
| July 19, 02:45 (GMT+8) |
SBOBET odds for this semi-final are as you’d expect. City are major favourites at 1.33, while Arsenal are significant 7.60 underdogs. Meanwhile, a draw is 5.20.
And in terms of odds just to get through to the final, City remain well ahead. They are 1.13 to move on, either after full time, extra time, or penalties. Meanwhile, Arsenal are a mere 5.76.
While Arsenal have shown signs of progress lately under Arteta, it’s hard to bet against City at the moment. They may have lost a couple of games, but that lack of consistency could be chalked up to Liverpool already clinching the title. When they’re properly motivated, they are still arguably the best team in the league (see: their 4-0 demolition of Liverpool).
They certainly won’t be lacking in motivation against Arsenal. Expect them to make it back to the FA Cup final with another comfortable victory over the Gunners.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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