Man City face Arsenal showdown, Liverpool eye revenge in FA Cup
AFP26 Jan 2023 01:47pm
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portuguese goalkeeper Jose Sa (C) clears the ball during the FA Cup third round football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool FC at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on January 17, 2023. - Photo: AFP
Holders Liverpool will look to avenge their chastening recent defeat at Brighton, while Harry Kane could become Tottenham's all-time top scorer.
Unexpectedly trailing in Arsenal's wake in the Premier League, Manchester City have the chance to slow the leaders' momentum in their first meeting this season.
City are five points behind Arsenal, who have a game in hand, but the champions still have to play the Gunners twice in the league, making their FA Cup showdown a tantalising appetiser ahead of the main course.
Arsenal are riding high after victories over Tottenham and Manchester United in the league, while City stayed in touch after responding to a blast from Pep Guardiola by beating Tottenham and Wolves.
"At half-time the other day, Pep told us what he wanted, what he wasn't happy with. As players we were not at our best and we had to correct that," City defender John Stones said of his side's fightback from two goals down to defeat Tottenham 4-2.
It would be a major statement of intent from Arsenal if they are able to put Guardiola in another grumpy mood with a victory at the Etihad Stadium.
It is safe to say Liverpool's trip to the Amex Stadium on January 14 left some painful scars on Klopp and company.
But the FA Cup offers them an unexpected chance to erase those bitter memories and get their campaign back on track.
Liverpool return to Brighton languishing ninth in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of the top four.
It is a remarkable fall from grace after they came within a whisker of winning an unprecedented quadruple last season.
Admitting Liverpool are still mentally fatigued from their bid for sporting immortality, Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara said: "It is not just about physical stuff, it is something psychological because we were so close to winning everything and we just touched it but sadly it went away."
Kane drew level with Jimmy Greaves on 266 Spurs goals when he netted with a superb strike in the team's Premier League win at Fulham on Monday.
Greaves' tally had stood untouched since 1970, but the England captain is now on the verge of sole possession of the record.
With fifth-placed Tottenham in the midst of a fight to climb back into the Premier League's top four, Antonio Conte could rest his stars against second-tier Preston.
But, mindful of Tottenham's surprise defeat at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth round last season, Kane is keen to play.
"The FA Cup is important for us. It was disappointing to lose to Middlesbrough. We will see what the manager says but I will be ready," said Kane, who is still looking to win the first major trophy of his career.- AFP
