Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has given his team news and view on the game and there’s a spot of Gabriel Jesus fitness speculation, but let’s start with praise for City centre-back John Stones.
“He’s a wonderful player and I think he’s got one of the best managers in the world to teach him and guide him through the pitfalls of football,” ex-Arsenal defender Sol Campbell told Omnisport, in quotes carried by Goal.com.
“He’s lucky that he’s there and definitely he’s benefitting from having better players around him.
“I think his decision-making will get better in time. Playing in tournaments will allow him to get better. I think his future is bright and long may he continue learning.
“He’s got environments, the manager and the players around him to hopefully make him into one of the best defenders in the world in time.”
Down at Arsenal HQ, boss Wenger gave his pre-match press conference on Thursday, revealing that Danny Welbeck is a doubt and that Shkodran Mustafi - scorer against City in the recent Premier League game - is out.
The Frenchman said: “We are ambitious because we have done it before and we know we can do it. In the previous semi finals, we were super favourites but in this game it is between two teams who are very close to each other in the Premier League so it is much more level on chances at the start. We know we absolutely have to be at our best to qualify.
“It’s always something special. I remember my first [semi-final], when we played at Villa Park against Wolves. That’s the day when I realised how big the club is, how much it means to our supporters because suddenly the stadium is divided in two for an away game and your fans are all there.
“So it’s a special experience and we are focused and highly motivated. Maybe not at the maximum of our confidence because we had recently some disappointing results, but that is a good opportunity to show we are ready for a fight and how much we want to go to the final.”
Over in the Daily Star, chief sports writer Jeremy Cross reckons City could be about to spring a surprise on Sunday in the form of Brazilian striker Jesus.
Cross predicts: “Gabriel Jesus could be in line for a shock return in Manchester City’s FA Cup showdown with Arsenal on Sunday.
“The Brazilian sensation was expected to miss the rest of the season when he broke his foot in February.
“Jesus underwent surgery following the game at Bournemouth.
“But he has stunned Etihad medical staff with the speed of his recovery.”
You can get all the official team news here on ManCity.com at around 2pm on Friday after Pep Guardiola’s press conference!
Finally the Australian football website has picked up on City loanee and Socceroo Aaron Mooy being named in the Championship PFA team of the season.
They write: “Mooy is on a season-long loan from Manchester City and has played 41 times for Huddersfield this season. Town are fourth in the Championship with four games remaining and look odds-on for a place in the playoffs for a shot at promotion to the Premier League.
“It’s a prestigious honour for Mooy, who has already been named in the EFL’s overall and divisional teams of the year. This team is voted for by his peers.”
That’s your lot for today, we’ll be back same time, same place tomorrow!
