After defeating Burnley 3-0 in the Carabao Cup, Manchester City were handed one of the toughest draws against Arsenal.
Manchester City are set for a high-profile Carabao Cup quarterfinal tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on the 22nd or 23rd of December. City’s long-running undefeated stretch in the competition will be challenged by a much-improved Arsenal side under former City assistant Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal have already put old demons to rest under the Spanish coach, this time vanquishing Liverpool on penalties to advance following a 0-0 draw after losing in the same situation a year ago after an enthralling 5-5 match.
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Arsenal notably knocked City out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage a year ago, and have shown themselves of completely capable of beating Guardiola’s City. With the game far into the future, City can hope that their current injury situation will improve before playing top opposition. As City seek the League Cup for the fourth consecutive season, they will need to be on top of their game in order to advance.
This was far from the easiest draw possible, and arguably the most difficult for both teams. In the other matches, Tottenham drew Championship strugglers Stoke City, Newcastle United will play Brentford, and Manchester United will face Everton in the only other clash between top-flight opponents.
A difficult task lies ahead, but City will still be considered favorites. In another clash of master and apprentice, Guardiola will need to show his protégé that he still has much to learn. City have a superior squad while Arsenal have been forced into playing pragmatically due to the limitations of their team, but that does not make the Blues invulnerable by any means, as evidenced by last season’s crucial defeat before the Gunners eventually lifted the FA Cup.