Key events
Manchester City v Arsenal will attract incredible worldwide viewing figures. Ahead of Sunday’s showdown at the Etihad, John Duerden has been talking to Gunners fans from around the globe. It seems there’s panic on the streets of Thailand ahead of the trip to Manchester.
Arsenal are six points clear in the Premier League and into the semi-finals of the Champions League. And yet, in cricketing terms, they seem not to be going for their shots anymore, trying to get over the line by nudging singles. Has Geoff Boycott given his approval to such a method? Boycs, confusingly, supports Manchester United so probably isn’t the man to ask. Much of the negativity around the Gunners centres around style though and clamming up at this crucial stage of the season could backfire. Here’s Rob Draper with a look at how Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola are taking different paths despite both being disciples of Johan Cruyff.
No doubt which game takes top billing this weekend. Let’s start with some Manchester City v Arsenal build-up in our Premier League: 10 things to look out for column. Here’s how Jamie Jackson frames it:
“If Arsenal are victorious, they motor back to London with a nine-point advantage and the 22-year wait for the title is surely over. If City win, then it is time to break out the popcorn as the title race will surely go down to the wire.”
After taking just five points from the last 42 available, Tottenham are heading towards relegation. Can new boss Roberto De Zerbi stop the ninth richest club in the world falling into the Championship? Harry Paterson from WhoScored examines their plight.
Crystal Palace will face Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk for a place in the final of the Conference League. Here’s how the Eagles completed the job against Fiorentina in the quarter-finals.
Nottingham Forest have reached their first European semi-final for 42 years. It was a nervy night at the City Ground but Morgan Gibbs-White’s 12-minute strike proved just enough to get Forest past 10-man Porto. Villa up next.
Let’s start with Aston Villa cruising past Bologna. Ollie Watkins reached a couple of landmarks in the 4-0 win and perhaps gave Thomas Tuchel a nudge.
Preamble
Good morning! Aside from Liverpool’s predictable exit to PSG, it’s been a rather excellent week for English teams in their respective European quarter-finals. Arsenal limped made it through against Sporting in the Champions League, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest set up an all-English Europa League semi-final after seeing off Bologna and Porto respectively and Crystal Palace, despite defeat on the night at Fiorentina, went through 4-2 on aggregate to reach the last four of the Conference League.
We’ll reflect on those successes and then turn to a Premier League run-in where there’s all sorts on the line this weekend. Will in-form Brighton bash another nail into Tottenham’s relegation coffin? Who will have bragging rights after the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium? And will Manchester City send already highly tetchy Arsenal fans apopletic by playing sexy Cherki football and winning Sunday’s title showdown at the Etihad? All that, plus team news, features and much more. Let’s go!
