Wenger admits belief is low

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits his side are feeling the heat ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final showdown with Manchester City at Wembley.

Wenger, who is said to be close to signing a new two-year deal with the Gunners, has come under pressure from some supporters over his position at the club.

Seven points adrift of City, who lie fourth in the Premier League, Arsenal are badly in need of the pick-me-up that reaching the final would bring.

Dumped out of the Champions League by a brutal 10-2 aggregate scoreline against Bayern Munich, Wenger knows this is his remaining shot at silverware this season - as is also the case for Pep Guardiola's City.

"What I expect when you go to the semi-final is to go to the final," Wenger said.

"I remember my first one when we played at Villa Park against Wolves, that's when I realised how big the club is.

"I think we are focused, highly-motivated, maybe not at the maximum of our confidence, but it is a good opportunity to show how much we are ready for a fight, because it is maybe our only opportunity for a trophy this season."

The Gunners have a host of injuries to contend with. Shkodran Mustafi, David Ospina, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Lucas Perez are all out and former Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck is a doubt.

Meanwhile, City have again been linked with a £50million summer move for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci.

THE Football Association has led the tributes to former England player Ugo Ehiogu, who has died aged 44.

Ehiogu collapsed at Tottenham's training centre on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The tribute on the official @England Twitter account read: "We're devastated to hear the news that Ugo Ehiogu has passed away. Our thoughts and sympathies are with all lucky enough to know him."

Ehiogu's former club Villa, for whom he played more than 300 games, tweeted: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our former defender Ugo Ehiogu.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this terribly sad time."

The club added: "We will be holding a minute's applause before our derby with @BCFC...

"Both sets of players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect."