Fun and laughter before Arsenal take on City.

Morning all.

Pep Guardiola says Mikel Arteta is “creating something unique” at Arsenal and feels the Gunners will challenge for trophies under the Spaniard. There is no better person to do the job than Mikel,” said Guardiola. “They have team spirit. Mikel has created.”

Just what ‘unique’ will turn out to be only time will tell. The two Spaniards go head to head again this evening. The last time was just after the season restarted. We lost 3-0 at The Etihad on a day when injury to both Xhaka and Mari upset our early rhythm. Then of course we went down to ten men and once their penalty hit the back of the net, there was only ever going to be one result. A bad day all round for Arsenal and Mikel on his first return to his old stomping ground.

Guardiola went on to say:

From the outside – maybe I am wrong – but what I see in their games, how they celebrate, how they fight for every single ball, they are creating something special for this club. Everybody fights for each other. I have a feeling he is creating something unique and if he can be supported by the club in terms of investment, and get the players that they need, they’ll be a contender for the next years.

Investment. Football always comes back to investment and Arsenal are one of the so called big clubs who need it most. Yet one of the clubs who’ll probably be spending the least. Not qualifying for the Champions League hasn’t helped as far spending big money on big names goes but more important than how much Arsenal spend this summer is who they sign. This team needs big characters. Players who’ll turn up and perform on days like today. Players who relish a trip up north on a cold winters afternoon, not the kind who’ll look out the window, see a fluttering of snow and phone in sick.

Back to today, our last hope of European football next season.

• Arsenal have lost their past seven meetings with Manchester City in all competitions, by an aggregate score of 20-2. Only against Leeds have Arsenal ever lost more consecutive matches in their history (eight).

• Manchester City’s last defeat against Arsenal in all competitions was in an FA Cup semi-final, throwing away a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 in 2017, with Arsenal going on to beat Chelsea in the final.

• This is just the fifth FA Cup meeting between City and Arsenal, with City winning the first in February 1904, and Arsenal winning the next three (March 1932, February 1971 and April 2017).

Doesn’t bode well does it?

I think previous results and performances go out the window when a Cup match comes around. Who wants it more, who needs it more and who’ll fight for it more matters and Arsenal have to go out onto the Wembley turf with all three passions in full swing. Man City have the better squad by far but with a bit of attention to detail, giving their creative players no time on the ball, anything can happen.

Arsenal have to very aware of the dangerous players Man City have in their squad but it’s up to us to take our game to them rather than focus on all the ‘what might happen’ aspects of the game, otherwise we’ll get beat. What is Mikel’s plan and executing it well is important. The old cliche defend from the front, attack from the back springs to mind because as simple as it sounds, it’s effective. Work hard as a team, create space, get at their defence because it will concede goals. Get at Walker because he can get frustrated, caught out of position and be rash. Force their errors rather than allow them to force ours. It was the pressure applied on Liverpool’s back line and keeper which created our chances and if Virgil can crack, anyone can.

City are bound to enjoy long periods of possession, it’s their game but that’s when it’s crucial for Arsenal to concentrate, work hard off the ball defend well. Then, when the opportunities arise, and they will, hit City hard and fast on the break.

Enjoy the game guys… 🤞🤞

Catch up in the comments.