The top two teams in the English Premier League face each other in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow morning (4am).
Manchester City, which has won the EPL four times in five seasons, trail Arsenal by five points, having played a game more.
But it knows it can plant seeds of doubt on an Arsenal team that has not won the title since 2004 by registering a victory in the knockout competition.
Its good luck charm is none other than Pep Guardiola. Since the Spaniard became City boss in 2016, he has faced Arsenal 16 times, winning 13, drawing two, and losing once.
City has also won the last five encounters, scoring 13 times and conceding twice. It has not lost in the fourth round of the FA Cup since the 2014-15 season.
Although Mikel Arteta has worked his magic to transform the London club from also-ran to genuine title contender, he knows City will not be pushovers in the cup or the league.
Arsenal, however, has beaten City in its last four meetings in the FA Cup and has gone on to play in the finals each time, winning in 1971, 2017, and 2020.
City may be at home, but its recent form at the Etihad saw it losing to Brentford and drawing with Wolves, which should give Arsenal hope.
Going into this match, City has won only three of its last five games – losing twice. Arsenal, meanwhile, has won four – including beating Manchester United last week – and drew once.
Tomorrow’s meeting is the first of three between the clubs in as many months. The duo will also play home and away in the EPL in February and April.
Expect fireworks, especially with City striker Erling Haaland on a hot scoring streak, and Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah earning praises after his double against United last weekend.
The only other all-Premiership tie will see Brighton hosting an out-of-sorts Liverpool.
The Seagulls stunned the Reds 3-0 in the league two weeks ago and are hoping for a repeat performance.
Manchester United, the only club still with a chance of winning every trophy it is contesting, takes on Reading on Sunday (4am).
The Red Devils, which have one leg in the final of the League Cup, should have no problems overcoming the Championship outfit.
FA Cup Fourth Round (Selected fixtures, Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Manchester City vs Arsenal (4am)
Walsall vs Leicester (8.30pm)
Accrington Stanley vs Leeds (8.30pm)
Southampton vs Blackpool (11pm)
Fulham vs Sunderland (11pm)
SUNDAY
Preston vs Tottenham (2am)
Manchester United vs Reading (4am)
Brighton vs Liverpool (9.30pm)
TUESDAY
Derby vs West Ham (3.45am)
Main image: Manchester City