Chris Sutton is backing Manchester Metropolis to e book their spot within the fifth spherical of the FA Cup because of a 2-1 victory over Arsenal at The Etihad on Friday night time.
The fourth-round conflict is one thing of a costume rehearsal for the Premier League assembly between the 2 sides at The Emirates in mid-February, with Arsenal at present main Metropolis on the high of the desk by 5 factors with a recreation in hand.
The Gunners head into the sport on the again of their spectacular 3-2 win over Manchester United at The Emirates final Sunday after Manchester Metropolis had crushed Wolves 3-0 earlier within the day.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect have gained 4 of their final 5 video games within the Premier League and might be hoping to hold that momentum into Friday night time’s showdown – however former Chelsea FC star Sutton feels that Pep Guardiola’s hosts will edge the competition.
Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Sutton stated: “It is a good tie to get the fourth spherical began and it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how each managers method it, as a result of they meet once more within the Premier League in the midst of February.
Ex-Chelsea FC striker Chris Sutton (Picture: BT Sport)
“Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola at all times selects sturdy groups within the home cups, however we don’t understand how large Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta will go, given his aspect’s place on the high of the desk.
“The FA Cup clearly gained’t be Arteta’s precedence, however his aspect have gotten a lot momentum in the intervening time whereas Metropolis are nonetheless not at their fluid greatest.
“I’m positive it is going to be all smiles between the pair of them beforehand, as a result of Arteta was one in every of Guardiola’s assistants at Metropolis earlier than taking the Gunners job, however that is going to be a fiercely fought contest – which I feel Metropolis will edge.”
Arteta, who was beforehand Guardiola’s assistant coach at Manchester Metropolis, insists that Arsenal’s place because the Residents’ fundamental challenger for the title this season is not going to have an effect on his relationship together with his former boss.
Talking at his pre-match news conference this week, the Arsenal supervisor underlined the necessary function Guardiola has performed in serving to to form his profession as a coach.
Requested if his relationship with Guardiola has modified now that Arsenal are preventing for the title, Arteta replied: “I at all times hoped that [a title challenge] was going to be the case in the future, and it’s taking place this season however that’s not going to alter any friendship or the moments that now we have, how necessary he’s in my life or how necessary he’s in my occupation.
“We’re each prepared to win and defend our golf equipment in the absolute best means, and that has at all times been the case since day one.”
Gunners striker Eddie Nketiah has been incomes reward for his stable performances for the north London aspect since having been introduced into the staff following the harm to Gabriel Jesus.
Eddie Nketiah (Picture: Mark Cosgrove / depositphotos.com)
The 23-year-old ahead has netted seven objectives in his final seven appearances for the Gunners and is at present the membership’s high scorer this season with 9 strikes to his identify.
Requested whether or not the ahead can preserve his present type, Arteta replied: “That’s the problem all of us have, not solely Eddie, to be not at that degree however at a greater degree each single day.
“Eddie has been very constant and I feel he has shocked a couple of individuals with how he responded to the massive problem and calls for he had after Gabriel [Jesus] bought injured. We’re constructive he can get a lot better, evolve and nonetheless proceed to develop.”