Of Wembley

derogatory remarks made his agent.

But he worked on his fitness, made his peace with his manager and returned to the fold in the wake of Ilkay Gundogan’s season-ending injury. He has been a key figure ever since.

Toure’s contract is up this summer and, at 33, he is expected to move on. If that is the case he wants to go out with a trophy – but first City must overcome the Gunners in a game that he predicts could be “beautiful” between two teams with similar philosophies.

“The philosophy of our clubs is a little bit similar because you have two teams that are going to attack,” said Toure.

“I think it’s going to be a beautiful game. There were a lot of goals in the two games we played against Arsenal in the Premier League.

“It’s a very big game for us. We are the team who produce the most beautiful games. Even if we can’t win the league I believe that we deserve something.”

City have a remarkable record of 10 wins out of 12 FA Cup semi-finals. Toure has been on the winning side in the last two and will be giving his all to make it a hat-trick. by

BLUES CAN HANDLE THE HEAT

THE two best sides in the country come face to face in the first FA Cup semi-final today. It will be an opportunity for one to gain a psychological advantage for the final weeks of the title race. It is 4-6 that the side who wins this cracker goes on to win the Premier League. Chelsea are slight favourites and probably have the wise old heads to soak up the pressure of playing at Wembley. Chelsea are 8-11 to make the final with Spurs even money. In the other semi-final, Arsenal are 6-4 to reach the final with Manchester City 1-2. Tomorrow is St George’s Day and it is 7-4 that an Englishman scores the opening goal. It is also semi-final weekend in the William Hill Scottish Cup. Hibernian v Aberdeen today is followed by an Old Firm derby tomorrow. Aberdeen are 4-9 favourites with Celtic 1-5 to progress at the expense of rivals Rangers.