Manchester City vs Arsenal Preview, Live Score: Carling Cup 2009-10 Quarter Final

If you want to get live score of Manchester City vs Arsenal match then visit the link- BBC SPORT.

Following Sunday’s 3-0 disappointing defeat to Chelsea at home, Arsenal is now going to visit Manchester City to face the home side on Wednesday (2 December) in a quarter final fixture of Carling Cup. Both sides would go into the match looking for a win in what would help them retain their confidence lost through the recent league games. Gunners have lost their last 2 league games, while Manchester City is now on a run of 7-draws in premier league. Manchester City may have defeated Arsenal 4-2 at home in the league earlier this season, but they would be more focused on improving their performance level ahead of the game, while Arsenal who got off a to a flying start to the season would now like to get everything back in the right track.

Match: Manchester City vs Arsenal; Quarter Final; Carling Cup 2009-10

Date: 2 December 2009

Venue: City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England

Time: 19:45 GMT

Live TV: Sky Sports 1, Super Sports 3

Manchester City splashed out a huge amount in the Summer transfer window to close the gap on ‘big four’ clubs, but their big spending has not yet reflected on their performance so far this season. City signed some world class players including Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Kolo Touré, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz and Joleon Lescott last Summer. However, Manchester City is now in the 7^th place of the league standing with 22 points from 13 games so far this season and it does not surely reflect their squad strength. So, the Eastlanders are now looking for a strong come back against Arsenal ahead of their important league clash against Chelsea next weekend. No doubt, a victory over Arsenal would generate the much-needed confidence for Mark Hughes’ men.

Actually, Manchester City is facing huge problem in their defense. City squandered their early leads in the four out of their last five matches in premier league, and thus, losing important points through a series of draws. City may fell relieved to know that Arsenal will be without its two key strikers Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner who are currently out injured. However, it would be a big mistake if Hughes and his boys take the young Gunners lightly. Despite the Chelsea defeat, Arsenal manager has said that he would feature a second string side in the league cup quarterfinal affair with Manchester City, in his attempt to give his bench players some playing time.

The Times of India reported:

Wenger said: "The League Cup is a competition that is not one of our priorities, but we go to Manchester City to win a game. We'll play our young players and some of them will play in the Champions League as well because we are already qualified.

"But losing to Chelsea was a massive disappointment. We have to deal with it and respond by trying to win our next game. It is as simple as that."

That does not mean that City has nothing to fear about Arsenal and can relax. In fact, City has no room to feel complacency ahead of the game because Arsenal’s young guns and bench players always try to give their best in an attempt to cement their place in the regular squad. Players like Fabregas, Walcott, Nasri have made their ways to the regular team in the similar manner. So, Manchester City has to show their best to progress to the semi final of Carling Cup. Manchester City may not be in a good position in the premier league, but they can still end their title draught this season by winning either of the Cup titles. In fact, the last time Manchester City won silverware was in 1976 League Cup.

Arsenal is also looking to end their title draught as they did not win any title since 2005 FA Cup. However, Wenger would stick to his policy of featuring second string squad in the cup competitions. So, Arsenal would most probably feature Philippe Senderos, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Fran Mérida, Carlos Vela and Vito Mannone in the starting line up. Theo Walcott, who has just returned from injury lay-off, could be handed a start against Manchester City, while Armand Traoré would most probably continue his job in the left back where Arsenal is missing their two first choice players: Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs. So, star players like Arshavin and Fabregas could be rested for the fixture.

Manchester City would not follow the same as manager Hughes has already indicated that he would feature a full strong squad against Arsenal. Emmanuel Adebayor was involved in a controversial goal celebration which was provocative in manner resulting into a £25,000 fine and a two-match suspension has been postponed for a year. Still, Hughes wants to feature Adebayor in the starting line up as he thinks that the Togolese striker is a prolific goal scorer and would help City win the game.

Extrafootie reported:

"There is no way he will not play as a consequence of what happened last time," explained Hughes.

"We want him to play because of the huge influence he had. He scored a fantastic goal.

"What happened last time was well documented, but that is in the past now.

"He's found it a bit more difficult, but that is maybe more of consequence of opponents having a look at how we play and trying to stop our threat - which Ade is."

Manchester City will, however, be without Gareth Barry who missed the Hull City game due to his groin injury and Nigel de Jong could be replaced by Vincent Kompany.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some live score websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:

BBC Football

Live Score

Goal.com

Sportpress

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Though it is true that Manchester City would have home advantage in the match and feature a full-strength squad, I can not write off Arsenal yet. Young gunners showed their talent and skill many time in the past defeating big clubs and winning with big margin against small clubs. There is a sense of motivation among Arsenal’s young players as they are determined to give their best to cement his place in the regular squad. City fans would like a strong performance from their star players and see them go through to the last four of the competition and City players are also gearing up to prove that they worth the big amount spent on them in the Summer. Overall, you can expect a highly entertaining match at the City of Manchester Stadium.