Manchester City v Arsenal
League Cup, 5th Round
Wednesday, December 2nd
City of Manchester Stadium, 7.45 pm
For the silverware-starved fans of Manchester City, a League Cup Quarter Final will always be a big game. But some would claim that Wednesday’s cup clash against Arsenal is a match of even greater importance. Following yet another draw against a lacklustre Hull this weekend (City now share, with Southampton and Norwich, the unflattering record of most consecutive draws in first tier English football), more and more fans are voicing their concerns. How patient must we be? When does Mark Hughes run out of excuses? On the other hand the potential in City’s squad is plain to see, and should City find their form from the beginning of the season, the questioned manager could, by winning against Arsenal, lead the club to its first League Cup Semi Final in 34 years. Make or break?
Thumbs up or down for Mark Hughes? The upcoming Arsenal and Chelsea games might very well decide the future of the City manager.
League Cup History
With 83 consecutive seasons in the top flight of English football, 13 league titles and 10 FA Cup trophies, there can be no doubt that Manchester City’s opponents in the 5th round of the League Cup are one of the great clubs in English football. However, in one respect City can more than hold their own; both clubs have won the [insert name of sponsor] Cup twice. For City, both wins came during the glory days of the 1970s (1970 and 1976), whereas Arsenal were victorious twice during the successful George Graham era (cup wins 1986 and 1993).
Dennis Tueart’s legendary overhead kick goal against Newcastle in the 1976 League Cup Final.
Looking at the recent history, however, the favour clearly falls to the Gunners. Even though Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has a habit of fielding youngsters and reserve squad players in the League Cup, the London club has quite an impressive record. In the last five years the club has gone out in the quarter- and semi finals twice, and ended as runners-up once. City’s cup record is less favourable; in the last five years the Mighty Blues have only gotten past the second round on two occasions. In the 2007/2008 season Spurs stopped City in a 5th round clash; in 2004/2005 City lost to no other than Arsenal in the third round.
City and Arsenal’s League Cup records for the last five seasons
The Opponents
Arsenal are visiting the COMS after a disappointing 3-0 home defeat against London rivals Chelsea this weekend- the second Premier League defeat in a row for Wenger’s team. Chelsea dominated the game and the victory was more than deserved. However, it’s likely that we will see the Gunners field a completely different team on Wednesday. Wenger usually views the League Cup as a way of giving his youngsters and reserve team players valuable experience. But as the stats above show, it’s not necessarily to the benefit of the opponent, something Liverpool sourly learnt after a 2-1 defeat in the 4th round.
Predicting an Arsenal line up is a difficult task. However, plenty of injuries to the defensive line- Clichy, Djourou, and young fullback Kieran Gibbs are all ruled out for Wednesday’s game- will probably open the door for out of favour players like Mikael Silvestre and Philip Senderos… An early Christmas gift for City’s tempo-strong attacking line?
The midfield is Arsenal’s real forte. Even with players like Fabregas and Eboue on the bench, and Vassiriki Diaby on the injury list, Arsene Wenger can field top class alternatives. Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri are slowly recovering their form after long injury spells, while youngsters like Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey can be more than a handful for most Premier League opponents. But with the right attitude and plenty of grit, City are more than capable of outplaying the skilful Arsenal midfield- just remember the 4-2 home victory in September! Going forward Wenger is a little short of options, with both Robbie van Persie and the Dane Nicklas Bendtner injured.
Arsenal’s way to the Quarter Final
City’s way to the Quarter Final
City
Mark Hughes has a near fully fit squad at his disposal, and is likely to field his strongest side in pursuit of a place in the semi finals. Only Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov is out of contention due to a knee injury.
Out of form England international Gareth Barry surprisingly didn’t even feature on the bench against Hull on Saturday, while Welshman Craig Bellamy got a well-deserved rest/had to make way for a returning Robinho. Both are likely to be part of the squad on Wednesday, however.
After seven consecutive league draws, City are desperate to land a win. But league is league and cup is cup. Mark Hughes will do well to focus the players’ attention on the 5-1 victory over Scunthorpe United in the 4th round, rather then the draws against Hull, Wigan, Birmingham, et al. A win would after all mean one step closer to silverware, something the City faithful have been waiting on for all too long!
Prediction
It’s make or break time for Mark Hughes, and this game could very well define the rest of City’s season. A win means chance of silverware and a regained confidence; a loss (or a draw) means one less thing to play for, and a severely battered self confidence. Not even wanting to think about the empty feelings a loss would leave me with, I’m going for a 2-1 win for City, after a last minute goal by Craig Bellamy.
A special thanks to Mr Nool from www.mancityfans.net for popping his cherry and providing us with the great match preview.