City v Arsenal: FA Women's Cup match preview | OneFootball

Everything you need to know ahead of City’s FA Women's Cup semi-final clash against Arsenal…

When and where

Holders City have the chance to defend the trophy with the resumption of the 2019/20 competition.

Gareth Taylor's side face the Gunners in the last four stage.

The game kicks off at 7:15pm (UK) on Thursday 1 October and will be played at the Academy Stadium.

The game will be shown live on BBC Two and the BBC iPlayer.

Fans outside of the UK can tune in via the FA Player, while you can also follow the action on our dedicated matchday Twitter account: @ManCityWomen.

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RULES

While the decision was made to end the 2019/20 Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship campaigns in the best interests of the women’s game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FA submitted an application to FIFA for special dispensation to complete FA Women's Cup competition.

For safety reasons in the wake of the pandemic, the fixture will be played behind-closed-doors.

Both teams are able to name a maximum of nine substitutes. Five substitutions can be conducted at any time in a match. In the event that extra time is played, an additional substitution (a sixth in total) can also take place.

In line with current protocols, additional balls will be placed at intervals around the pitch.

TEAM NEWS

United States star Rose Lavelle may be in contention to make her debut, while fellow summer recruits Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood and Sam Mewis could be reinstated to the starting XI.

Aoife Mannion, Megan Campbell and Lauren Hemp remain sidelined through injury.

WATCH: Rose Lavelle: City's newest shining star

Manager's preview: Gareth Taylor

"It's a game for us to really look forward to.

"I would have been happy playing either Tottenham or Arsenal. We were fortunate enough to watch the semi-final, which was interesting as we play Tottenham on Sunday as well.

"It was close with 20 minutes to go. Then it's 4-0, which looks like an emphatic scoreline.

"I have big belief in what we can achieve. The games are coming thick and fast now."

CHECK OUT OUR 2020/21 WOMEN'S TRAINING RANGE

Last time out

Victory over Leicester City booked our place in the 2019/20 final four, as City ran out 2-1 winners over the FA Women’s Championship outfit.

Chloe Kelly netted her first competitive goal for the Club from the penalty spot before Georgia Stanway bagged her third of the season with a sweetly-struck half-volley.

Charlie Devlin halved the deficit with 12 minutes to go to set up a nervy finish but City held firm to progress.

WATCH: FA Women's Cup highlights: Leicester 1-2 City

Last meeting

Nick Cushing got the send-off he deserved as City battled to a hard-fought 2-1 win at home.

Pauline Bremer tapped home the opener on the stroke of half-time after an evenly balanced first 45, before Lauren Hemp headed us two ahead within five minutes of the restart following a typically inch-perfect cross from Keira Walsh.

Danielle Van de Donk gave the visitors hope after she reacted quickest to a reaction save from Ellie Roebuck, but the home side held on to move three points clear of the Gunners and become outright leaders of the Women’s Super League.

It was just rewards for the boss, with the entire team fighting until the end to make sure he capped off an incredible six years at the Club with a win before his move to New York City.

WATCH: FA WSL highlights: City 2-1 Arsenal