The first FA Cup semi-final of the weekend sees 13-time winners Arsenal take on holders Manchester City at Wembley. George Pitts looks at the betting.
Recommended bets
1pt Man City to win and under 3.5 total goals at 7/5
0.5pt David Silva to score anytime at 4/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Arsenal v Man City
- 1945 BST kick-off at Wembley Stadium on BT Sport
- Match Odds: Home 8/1 | Draw 9/2 | Away 3/10
Mikel Arteta has had some difficult tasks already in his short time as Arsenal boss, and trying to get his side into the FA Cup final will be up there with the toughest.
The Gunners are 13-time winners of the competition, but Man City have reached the final three times in the last decade (winning twice) and have particularly enjoyed domestic competitions under Pep Guardiola, winning last year's FA Cup and the last three Carabao Cups under the Spaniard. They are no strangers to a day out Wembley, although this will certainly be like no other.
These two sides met in the Premier League on the first game back after the restart, City impressively winning 3-0.
It was deserved in the end, but Arteta's men started incredibly well and came with a clear game plan and had their fair share of possession before a couple of unfortunate injuries to key men, two David Luiz errors and a red card decimated their chances.
Arteta does know City well, having worked under Guardiola before returning to north London to replace Unai Emery. With his initial approach in the Etihad clash, it was clear to see he had an idea of how to play against them.
With a more settled side and five wins since, including a confidence-boosting midweek league victory over champions Liverpool, maybe they have a glimmer of hope.
But this City side is relentless and, no matter how well Arsenal play, the men in blue have the quality to break them down eventually.
There was a temptation to back Arsenal on the +2 handicap at evens, considering the margin is fancied to be closer this time, but the 7/5 price on the Citizens to win with less than 3.5 goals in the match is much more appealing.
City are a class outfit and, with the Premier League gone, it is hard to see them taking their eye off the ball in the hunt for silverware here before going in search of that elusive Champions League. Well capable of scoring goals, agreed, but Arteta's side have at least improved defensively since his arrival.
Another market worth considering is on an anytime goalscorer - it can often be hard to decide due to City's rotation policy, but there are some good prices. The 11/4 on Phil Foden was incredibly tempting after his form since the restart, but another, 4/1 on David Silva, is hard to ignore.
In his final weeks as a City player, giving him one last shot to inspire in the FA Cup looks likely, especially given his form.
The Spaniard is now 34 but you would not know it when you see his play on the field. He is still a class act and his two free-kicks (against Newcastle and Bournemouth) in the last three games show that, as well as a goal in the thrashing of Burnley last month.
Looking at his league form, he has six goals and 10 assists and averages 1.6 shots per game. In and around the box, he is not afraid of shooting and he provides excellent support to the attacking trio, gliding past his opponents. A huge threat that has been left at a big price.
It is not his last game at Wembley (providing they get through to the final), but a goal in one of his last games there would cap off a fine spell in England. Let's just hope he starts.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Man City (Sky Bet odds: 8/1)
Best bets:
Man City to win and under 3.5 total goals at 7/5
David Silva to score anytime at 4/1
Opta stats
- Arsenal have progressed from nine of their last 12 FA Cup semi-final ties, losing out in 1999, 2004 (both v Manchester United) and 2009 (v Chelsea). Each of the last eight teams to beat Arsenal at the semi-final stage has gone on to win the trophy, in a run stretching back to 1907.
- Manchester City have won 10 of their last 12 FA Cup semi-final matches, with their two defeats in that time coming against Arsenal (1932 and 2017).
- Arsenal are playing in their 30th FA Cup semi-final – no side has ever played in more. They’ve reached the final on 20 occasions, which is also a joint record (level with Manchester United for both).
- Arsenal have lost their last seven meetings with Manchester City in all competitions, by an aggregate score of 2-20. Only against Leeds have Arsenal ever lost more consecutive matches in their history (two runs of 8).
- Manchester City’s last defeat against Arsenal in all competitions was in an FA Cup semi-final, throwing away a 1-0 lead to lose 1-2 in 2017, with Arsenal going on to beat Chelsea in the final.
- This is just the fifth FA Cup meeting between Man City and Arsenal, with Man City winning the first in February 1904, and Arsenal winning the subsequent three (March 1932, February 1971 and April 2017).
- Holders Man City are looking to reach the FA Cup final in consecutive years for the third time, also doing so in 1933/1934 and 1955/1956. The Citizens are unbeaten in their last nine matches at Wembley Stadium, last losing against Arsenal in the 2017 FA Cup semi-final.
- Arsenal have beaten/eliminated the holders of the FA Cup each of the last five times they’ve faced them, with this their first such match since the 2014 semi-final against Wigan Athletic.
- Four of Arsenal's seven FA Cup goals this season have been scored by players under the age of 21 - the most of any side from the first round proper (Bukayo Saka x1, Eddie Nketiah x2, Reiss Nelson x1).
- Man City’s Phil Foden has had a hand in seven goals in just six FA Cup appearances (4 goals, 3 assists), averaging a goal involvement every 57 minutes in the competition.
Odds correct as of 1945 BST on 16/07/20
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