The fight for the final four: What to expect when Arsenal face Manchester City

The fight for the final four: What to expect when Arsenal face Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup 

By Adam Le Roux

You’ll have to put the wrapping on hold on Tuesday night, as Arsenal host Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates in their last match before Christmas. 

There can’t be too many Arsenal fans expecting much from the visit of Pep Guardiola’s side, with the Citizens the last team you want to be facing when you’re on a run similar to the Gunners’ of late. 

It is now just one win in ten Premier League matches for Mikel Arteta’s side after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Everton, and things are looking gloomier by the day as results look no more likely to turn around soon. 

But some time away from the domestic game could be exactly what Arsenal need at the moment, with a winner-takes-all clash the sort of fixture that can release the shackles in the team, and not have the burden of the impending relegation battle above their heads. 

Silverware can help save the season 

Whatever people say about the Carabao Cup, lifting the trophy aloft at Wembley next year would really make a difference in this wretched season for the Gunners, and Arteta should be well aware of that fact. 

Even though Chelsea are next on the agenda in the Premier League on Boxing Day, this is no place to be putting out a second-string team. 

While the Spaniard may make a few changes to keep his players fresh, as his compatriot in the other dugout will most likely do as well, a strong performance is expected as the 2018/19 champions come to town. 

Bukayo Saka

Remember the corresponding Premier League fixture between the two sides back in October, when Arsenal looked to be a match for their opponents, only for a Raheem Sterling strike to seal a win for the hosts at the Etihad? 

How the supporters would love to see a performance similar to that back in Manchester this week, where the Gunners looked valiant in defeat, and capable of mixing it with the league’s elite. 

Nine league games without a win later, and we are a far cry from that side we saw two months ago, with the goals having dried up, especially from open play. 

But this is a free-shot, if you like, no one is expecting Arsenal to progress to the last four of the competition, which means the players should be able to play without fear. 

Quarter-final can help find the fighters 

After Saturday’s defeat saw the turgid run of form continue, Arteta took the time to throw down the gauntlet for his struggling Arsenal side, and will expect a response at the Emirates. 

With just one league win since the start of October, it would have been easy for the players to lose faith in the manager. But they still seem to be performing for the Spaniard, they just simply don’t have the quality to win games. 

And the Spaniard wants to see just who has the mettle in his squad to react to the disappointment of yet another defeat, rather than wallow in the sorrow of the defeat at Goodison. 

Mikel Arteta

"Normally when that happens, you have two types of people: fighters and victims," he said. "You just need fighters - you don't want any victims,” Arteta said. 

"Victims just bring excuses, bring negativity and they start to blame everything that is happening around them or that is not going for them. 

"You just need people who fight, people who contribute and people who are ready to give everything to the cause in these moments.” 

Tuesday night will be the perfect opportunity to see who has what it takes to step up to the plate and keep their place in the team, and even the squad, with the January transfer window looming ever larger. 

Auba injury sees him on the sidelines 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be featuring at the Emirates, as the Gabonese striker continues to struggle with the calf injury that left him out of the trip to Merseyside on Saturday. 

The absence of the 31-year-old at Goodison Park saw a front three of Eddie Nketiah, Nicolas Pepe and Willian against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, which may not have produced a goal from open play once again, but looked promising all the same. 

Alexandre Lacazette may also be pushing for a start after spending time on the bench recently, with this the perfect chance to prove himself to the boss and earn himself a recall to the starting XI for the Chelsea clash. 

Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli is also pushing for another appearance, as the Brazilian took to the field in an Arsenal shirt for the first time in nine months on Saturday, after recovering from knee surgery in the summer. 

But Arteta is keen to slowly blood the teenager’s return to the team, and has warned Arsenal fans not to expect too much too soon, despite the Gunners’ woes in front of goal so far this campaign. 

“We cannot put that pressure on his shoulders, I don’t think it’s fair for him," the Arsenal boss said. 

“He brings that enthusiasm that the fans can see because he’s got something special. He’s got a special energy every time he steps on that field. 

“But remember that what Gabi has done in the Premier League in the time he has been with us is very limited and let him develop like we are doing with many other young kids we have here.”

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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