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Manchester City will head to Wembley Stadium and face off against Arsenal in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
City have had the upper hand in their Premier League matches against Arsenal this season, winning at home and drawing at the Emirates a few weeks ago. The Gunners are struggling and the future of Arsene Wenger is still unknown, and despite a key away victory against Middlesbrough last Monday, it's safe to say Arsenal don't come into this match in good form.
City aren't in amazing form, either. They indeed have won their last two matches against Hull City and Southampton, but that followed four games without a victory and a Champions League elimination at the hands of Monaco.
The FA Cup is the last chance to win a trophy for Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger this season, and both managers need to prove themselves under the hot seat. Both suerely will field a full-strength lineup on Sunday afternoon, and here’s a few players who could help their respective teams win the match.
Laurent Koscielny
With injuries plaguing the usual Arsenal backline, Koscielny will likely be the center piece of a possible 3-man defense on Sunday. Shkodran Mustafi is out with a thigh injury, so Rob Holding and Gabriel may have to fill in for the Gunners defense.
Koscielny is one of the Premier League’s most dominant center backs, and he is a force in both boxes. Look for the French center back to control the Gunners’ back line for the entire 90 minutes if Arsenal come away with a result.
Nicolas Otamendi
With John Stones out due to injury, Otamendi is likely to pair up with Vincent Kompany to form City’s back line. Otamendi has started 23 times in the Premier League this season.
The Argentine has played extremely well this season, winning 4 aerial duels and making an average of 3 interceptions per game. The Gunners have one of the best attacking forces in the world, and Otamendi will need to bring his top talent to stop them from advancing to the Cup final.
Alexis Sánchez
If Arsenal is a dying candle, then Sanchez is the last burning wick. The Chilean has done absolutely everything to keep the Gunners in the race for a top-four finish in the league, leading the team with 19 goals and 9 assists. Even with those unbelievable statistics, Sadio Mané and Dele Alli managed to beat him out for a spot in the PFA Team of the Season.
In what may be his last chance to win a trophy with the club, Sánchez is ready to prove his doubters that he is a world class footballer who deserved a spot in the TOTS, and a massive performance against City can do that.
Gabriel Jesus
“Wait a minute... he won’t be back for months!”
That’s what I would’ve said if somebody told me a short while ago that Jesus could return to the starting lineup against Arsenal. However, he is months ahead of his recovery schedule, and Pep Guardiola went back on his word to claim that Jesus may feature in the starting eleven.
Whether or not he plays, Jesus travelling with the team is a huge boost for City after the Brazilian striker took the football world by storm during his debut month in Manchester.