Arteta guns for his former club
FA CUP: CHELSEA-MAN UTD SHOULD ALSO BE A HUMDINGER
The cavernous setting of an empty Wembley Stadium will play host to two FA Cup semifinals this weekend as holders Manchester City face Arsenal in a week when old animosities between the clubs were flamed, while Chelsea and Manchester United switch focus from their battle for a place in next season’s Champions League.
City and Arsenal are first up on Saturday as the Gunners attempt to spring a surprise for the second time in a week after downing English champions Liverpool 2-1 on Wednesday.
Only once in the past 10 years have Arsenal finished above City in the table and Pep Guardiola’s men have won the past seven meetings between the two.
Arsenal now face a fourth straight season without Champions League riches after 19 consecutive years in European football’s elite competition under Arsene Wenger.
Mikel Arteta played his part in back-to-back league titles for City in the past two seasons as Guardiola’s assistant.
Manchester United are looking to complete a clean sweep against Chelsea this season having won three previous meetings between the sides.
United are on a 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions and will be confident of reaching the final with the in-form front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood. United and Chelsea look the most likely candidates if the two-horse race for the title between City and Liverpool in recent years is to be expanded next term.
However, doubts remain over whether Solskjaer and Frank Lampard are the men to lead each club back to winning titles up against coaches of the calibre of Guardiola and Klopp. –