Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater says Mikel Arteta's knowledge of the Blues squad will give Arsenal an advantage ahead of their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.
Arteta left his role as City assistant to take charge of Arsenal in December, but the Gunners were beaten 3-0 when the former assistant returned to the Etihad last month.
That game was close until a David Luiz error allowed Raheem Sterling to open the scoring, before Luiz conceded a penalty and was sent off just after half time, ending the contest.
Arsenal have been inconsistent in the league since the restart but did beat champions Liverpool last time out, and Goater is predicting an improved opposition for City at Wembley on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to MEN Sport on behalf of BT Sport , Goater explained: "It'll be a difficult one. Arsenal with Mikel Arteta knowing some of the insides and how City approach the game, the strengths and weaknesses of players.
"I'm quite intrigued to see how he approaches the game tactically, does he go with a high press and say we're going to face you up, or does he create a mid-block and play from there, or go a low block and play from there. I'm quite intrigued to see what he uses and how Arsenal go about playing City.
"They lost 3-0 at the Etihad but I wouldn't say they were unprepared. If City get it right they can beat a team by three goals or four goals. They showed that against Liverpool and a number of other teams they face. I think Arteta will prepare the team to the best of his ability.
"I don't think there will be anything not looked at in terms of how they will get a result in terms of set pieces to whether they decide to press or when players come to certain areas and say 'we need to occupy this player rather than the certain space' because that's the danger.
"He will look at a number of things, he's learnt a lot, not only from Pep but all the managers he's been under. We'll start to see the best of Arsenal in the coming weeks and next season. He'll have them well prepared."
With extensive knowledge of City's approach to aid Arteta's preparation, Goater predicted a tight game at Wembley as City look to add the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup they have already won this season.
"Winning trophies is what Pep Guardiola is about," Goater said.
"He's a serial winner, he's already won the League Cup and would love to add the FA Cup to that and then the Champions League. Quite frankly if he's able to achieve that it'll be an absolutely amazing season. But this is a huge hurdle infront in Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
"I imagine it to be a close game. My prediction will be 2-1 City, I think it'll be close. The reason I say that is because Arteta knows how City approach the game and strategically look to impose themselves and win a game tactically so he will know the thinking around Arsenal. He also knows the strengths and weaknesses of the City players.
"Arteta will be conjuring up his plan and saying 'this is where we can expose City'. It makes for an intriguing game, and makes for a close game rather than the 3-0 we saw. I hope I'm wrong and City win this comfortably.
Watch Arsenal v Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup tonight from 19:00 on BT Sport 1.
