Guardiola tells Manchester City: Forget Arsenal win ahead of Manchester United clash

Pep Guardiola has urged Manchester City to put the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal behind them when Manchester United visit the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night. Yet he could be without two key players in the derby after both David Silva and Sergio Aguero were forced off at Wembley.

Aguero put City ahead in the 62ndminute but Arsenal fought back to win through to the FA Cup final with Nacho Monreal's equaliser and Alexis Sanchez's extra-time winner.

Guardiola admitted his disappointment but called on his players to bounce back for the crucial derby in the hope to qualify for the next Champions League. United are only one point behind following their win at Burnley on Sunday (23 April).

"We have three or four days to recover [before the game with United]. Today we are sad but as soon as possible we will stand up," the City boss said after the defeat to Arsenal.

"We tried to change many things. Results show who you are. They could be better, could be worse."

City suffered two further blows after Silva and Aguero limped off during the game. The Spaniard was replaced by Raheem Sterling earlier in the first half while the forward came off in extra time to make space for Fabian Delph.

Guardiola confirmed his double concern but could not say if they would miss the United game.

"I don't know. Aguero was dead from the kick. I didn't speak with the doctors. We will see tomorrow [Monday] how they are."

The City boss congratulated Arsenal for the victory but also hailed the performance of his players as City hit the post twice during the game and Sterling had a goal wrongly ruled out in the first-half.

"In games like this, a semi-final is like a final, you cannot expect control over every situation but we control most of the time," Guardiola said.

"They play long balls to [Olivier] Giroud and they counter-attack and with set pieces they are a tall team. They beat us because of this.

"We [had] a good performance; we play like you have to play a final. We did absolutely everything to play, like yesterday Tottenham. Congratulations to Arsenal and Chelsea to achieve the final. We will improve next season and be stronger."