Manchester City and Arsenal, the teams currently occupying the top two positions in the Premier League standings, will meet tonight in the FA Cup. Although playing for the oldest trophy in world football is a thrill of its own, the press wanted to know would this match infuence their race to become champions of England. The Gunners’ boss says no, and the Cityzens’ tactician says yes.Mikel Arteta said that the FA Cup showdown between the teams will have no bearing on the forthcoming Premier League double-header that could decide the title. Asked the same question, Pep Guardiola said the cup clash will definitely influence next month’s meeting at the Emirates, and that will in turn play a role in how both sides approach April’s league meeting at the Etihad.##NAJAVA_MECA_6971197##Guardiola sees all the games as an unbreakable chain of events, in which every one has in impact on what’s about to come.”We can win the game being much, much worse than them and lose being much, much better. We’ll see what they do, they’ll see what we do. I’m pretty sure the second one we will have to change something, the players, or maybe the way we play, maybe they do something we don’t expect.”The first of the three meetings between Manchester City and Arsenal happens tonight at the Etihad Stadium, it is an FA Cup fourth round tie.Can the Gunners stun Pep’s men at their backyard?Catch the match live on #ShowmaxPro from 11 PM EAT. pic.twitter.com/AEDPHoGLhl— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) January 27, 2023 Pep Guardiola also said Arteta had “a great, massive influence” on him and helped him become a better manager. The younger of the pair was Guardiola’s assistant at City before taking the Arsenal job.”I had the feeling, we knew it when he was here, about his ability for City. I don’t know my part on him but his influence on me was great, massive, so important in becoming a better manager. If I had left, Mikel would be here and he would be the best, absolutely.”Arteta became Arsenal boss in December 2019 and Guardiola, said it was no surprise he had joined the Gunners, who he played for between 2011 and 2016.”Everyone has dreams. We felt if one team could offer him the chance to be manager he would leave. I know he went to ‘his’ club, the team he dreams of. He’s a supporter, for the fact he played there, he was a captain there. He loves the club. I remember when we were together here, when we scored goals, he’d jump a lot and celebrate – except against one team, Arsenal.”England forward Phil Foden is a doubt for City as he recovers from a foot injury, although Guardiola said the player was “getting better”.Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is unavailable to play against his former club because of a knee injury, with midfielder Mohamed Elneny also out. Gunners full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who helped City win four Premier League titles, could feature against his old side.ENGLAND – FA CUP1/16 finalsFriday23:00: (1.75) Man.City (3.60) Arsenal (4.90)Saturday15:30: (8.50) Walsall (4.80) Leicester (1.37)18:00: (3.25) Bristol City (3.20) WBA (2.30)18:00: (2.30) Blackburn (3.15) Birmingham (3.30)18:00: (3.40) Ipswich (3.30) Burnley (2.20)18:00: (1.47) Luton (4.30) Grimsby (7.00)18:00: (1.50) Sheffield W. (4.20) Fleetwood (6.75)8:00: (1.48) Fulham (4.40) Sunderland (6.75)18:00: (1.50) Southampton (4.30) Blackpool (6.50)21:00: (9.00) Preston (5.00) Tottenham (1.35)23:00: (1.18) Man.Utd. (7.25) Reading (15.0)Sunday16:30: (2.75) Brighton (3.35) Liverpool (2.55)17:00: (1.60) Stoke (3.80) Stevenage (6.00)19:30: (4.40) Wrexham (3.50) Sheffield Utd (1.85)Monday21:45: (5.20) Derby (3.70) West Ham (1.70)***odds are subject to change***
