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Arsenal-Manchester City Preview: The Carabao Cup returns

By J.C. Gonzalez

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Thomas Partey of Arsenal battles for possession with Phil Foden of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Thomas Partey of Arsenal battles for possession with Phil Foden of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City face Arsenal in the quarterfinal as the Carabao Cup truly begins to heat up.

Despite Manchester City’s relative lack of success in the Premier League this season, they have continued their absolute dominance in the Carabao Cup under Pep Guardiola. City have won the trophy in three consecutive seasons, as well as four of the last five, and they seek to tie the record set by Liverpool from 1981-1984 for most consecutive league cup trophies.

Next up for the Citizens is a familiar opponent in Arsenal at the quarterfinal stage. The Gunners, managed by former City assistant Mikel Arteta, have been in horrid form, sitting in 15th in the Premier League after 14 matches. They should not be approached without respect, however, as they shocked Guardiola’s men in last year’s FA Cup semifinals, a trophy they went on to lift.

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The lone Premier League meeting between the two sides this year ended in a narrow 1-0 win for City at the Etihad in October, with a lone Raheem Sterling goal deciding the contest. Despite Arsenal’s struggles, City will need to be well aware of the threat they present, and the history of difficult games between the two teams linked by their managerial past.

City have not lost a Carabao Cup match in 1,517 days, an incredible record that will be put on the line once again as the Blues look to make it into their fifth straight calendar year unbeaten in the league cup.

Predicted XI: Zack Steffen (GK), João Cancelo (RB), John Stones (CB), Nathan Aké (CB), Benjamin Mendy (LB), Fernandinho (CDM), Rodri (CDM), Riyad Mahrez (RW), Ferran Torres (ST), Phil Foden (LW)