When is an FA Cup Fourth Round tie more than just a FA Cup Fourth Round tie? I’m not trying to be all Confucius and cryptic, but rather I’m referring to the fact that there’s more than a hint that today’s Manchester City vs Arsenal game is as much about the title fight between the two as it is about possible cup wins at Wembley in May .
The North Londoners lead City five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with one game left to play. Tonight’s match is a prelude to their league meeting next month at the Emirates Stadium – a match that some will consider to be a big part in deciding who will win the title. We wait for the teams that knocked out Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola – it’s hard to see a weak City XI (that’s how strong their team is) – but how much will today’s result affect their fight for supremacy on the top flight?
For the Arsenal manager, the answer is ‘not much’.
“I think it’s going to be two very, very different games,” said Arteta. “To make agreements with them, I think, is just very surreal, maybe because of the players who will be on the pitch, but also because the context is very different.
“Let’s see. It’s important to play well and win. That gives more momentum and confidence, and prepares you better for the next game. That’s our focus.”
So typical so far: ‘concentrating on this game’ ‘we want to win every game we play’ etc, etc, etc, yawn. But there is certainly a feeling, and a wider understanding, that a comprehensive defeat will be less than ideal for both sides barely two weeks away from the Premier League meeting. I suspect acceptance of that will affect the line-up chosen tonight by both Arteta and Guardiola.
Stay here to find out who’s starting tonight, for all the pre-match build-up and analysis, and of course the action.