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Manchester City: History of the fixture

By Jason Bardwell

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City scores the opening goal past Petr Cech of Arsenal during the Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on April 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images,)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City scores the opening goal past Petr Cech of Arsenal during the Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on April 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images,) /
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Mercer, Ball and Arteta:

Portrait of Arsenal Football Club captain Joe Mercer, smiling as he holds up the FA Cup following the teams win, April 29th 1950. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Portrait of Arsenal Football Club captain Joe Mercer, smiling as he holds up the FA Cup following the teams win, April 29th 1950. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) /

There has been no one to played for City, and then been part of Arsenal’s management side. Neither have we shared managers. We have, however, had ex Arsenal players come on to manage our club.

Joe Mercer is probably the biggest name in this category. Pictured here, while Arsenal captain, lifting the 1950 FA Cup.

He played almost 250 times for the Gunners, winning both the First Division title and Charity Shield twice, and that FA Cup.

In the mid 1960’s he became Manchester City manager, while they were in the Second Division. In his first season he won us promotion and stayed in the top job for six full seasons.

In that time we won pretty much everything on offer. The First Division. FA Cup, League Cup, Charity Shield and even European glory in 1970.

Alan Ball, on the other hand, was the complete opposite for us. Winning the First Division while at Arsenal, spending six seasons with the Gunners.

Moving into management after his playing career was done, he was initially quite successful. In particular, his time at Southampton is highlighted. It was this which saw friend, and new City Chairman Francis Lee, give him our top job.

A 26.5% win rate in 46 games was a terrible return, and relegation form. And that’s exactly what happened. Fired three games into his second season, City went into a downward spiral into the third tier of English football.

Mikel Arteta may not be in charge in the hot seat at Manchester City, but he was a part headhunted by Pep. Currently at the best place to learn, Mikel has been linked with the vacant Everton job. I think that will be too soon for him right now, but you get the impression that if he wants, he wouldn’t be out-of-place manager of a top side.