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FA Cup semi-final predictions: Charlie Nicholas predicts victory for Arsenal

Generic Charlie Nicholas image 10/08/2016
Image: Charlie Nicholas previews this weekend's FA Cup semi-final ties

Charlie Nicholas has provided us with his FA Cup semi-final predictions for the weekend and the Sky Sports pundit is backing Arsenal to make it through to the final at Wembley in May.

The north London club are considered marginal outsiders for their clash against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side on Sunday.

Here's what Charlie is predicting...

Arsenal v Man City

Arsenal had City by the throat and let them off the hook at the Emirates and, while they didn't play that well at the Etihad, could have won it.

Finally Wenger has decided he can change the shape of the team and while it wasn't a great performance at Middlesbrough, they got the win and regained a bit of confidence.

I think he'll play a similar system and hopefully we'll start to see a bit more fluency in their play, with Alexis Sanchez looking a bit more like himself.

Arsenal's German defender Shkodran Mustafi celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and
Image: Shkodran Mustafi secured a point for Arsenal when they faced Man City in the Premier League at the Emirates earlier this month

Olivier Giroud will be in the side, but only because the team isn't performing and he's got the chance to prove he's worth his place on the big stage.

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His movement is poor but in certain games you need to hit him to relieve pressure and start the build-up, which suits Mesut Ozil more.

I think the balance is better with him in the team for this sort of game, as when the defence might be under pressure you have to go back to front.

I'm going for an all north-London final, with the big prize coming down to the perfect or worst possible ending for Arsene Wenger.

Charlie predicts: Arsenal to win 3-2 - 28/1 with Sky Bet

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