Why a Win Over Man City Could Set Arsenal Up for a League and Cup Double

• Manchester City and Arsenal will battle it out tonight in the fourth round of the FA Cup
• The two teams are separated by five points on the Premier League table with Arsenal leading the log
• Tonight's match could be decisive for the season of both teams domestically

The apprentice and the master will square off tonight when Arsenal travel to the Etihad Stadium to battle it out against Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Mikel Arteta has guided Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table ahead of his former boss Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, and tonight's will be an important game for the two sides.

Both are chasing glory on three fronts this season, having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup, and by the end of today one of the teams will have their chances of trophy reduced by one more competition.

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What does the stat say?

According to Squawka, the Gunners are backed by stats to beat City tonight and go all the way to win the FA Cup. The last three times they have met in the competition, Arsenal have won the match and the competition, twice against Guardiola's City, the last of which was masterminded by Arteta.

However, their last five meetings in the league have resulted in the Citizens claiming victory in all five games, scoring 10 and conceding just once, as revealed by Premier League.

Whoever wins tonight's match has a chance to do a double, as well as boosting confidence ahead of their league double in February and April.

What are the managers saying?

The two former co-workers and friends have both had their pre-match press conferences, expressing different views of the match but with one thing in mind, a win.

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“I think we, as a team, as a club, we need this type of challenge. It doesn’t mean [we are] going to catch them, I don’t know right now, I have to adjust a few things but this is a challenge, that’s why it’s nice,” Guardiola told City official website.

''I always hoped it would be the case one day and it's happening this season. We are both willing to win and defend our clubs in the best possible way. That has always been the case since day one,'' Arteta told Sky Sports on testing his side against a dominant side.

What Arsenal must do to win PL title?

Sports Brief earlier highlighted what Arsenal must do to lift the Premier League title ahead of defending champions Manchester City come May.

The Gunners will have a big task on their hands to win at least 100 points to surpass a potential 99 points haul by Manchester City this season.

In the alternative, they need to pick maximum points against City in their two league games and reduce their required points haul to 94.