Cesc Fabregas Fans

Carling Cup tonight! The Arsenal youngsters faced Manchester City in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup. A lot riding on this match after the Chelsea defeat over the weekend and also the second time Arsenal face Manchester City away after the whole Adebayor drama earlier in the season! No Cesc tonight, he is resting somewhere ; )

Arsenal got the game started with an immediate attack with a few one-twos in and around the area; however nothing comes of it as Given comes out quickly to collect the ball.

Manchester City won a corner early on, Barry’s corner fell to Adebayor in the box. He managed to get up above Song and planted a firm header from 12 yards at goal but it went straight to Fabianski who got down well to hold.

16 minutes in Arsenal won a free-kick. The free-kick was sent into the box By Rosicky but it was too long and Given let it go out for a goal kick.

A couple of minutes later, Wright-Phillips won the ball to feed Bellamy, 15 yards away from goal. However, the Man City player was unable to direct his shot on goal, it went wide.

21 minutes in and Arsenal were in good possession of the ball. Merida played the ball through to Vela on the left hand side of the box. Vela managed to get to the ball before Lescott and took a shot from 12 yards. However, Lescott’s presence led to the shot going over.
It was Vela again on the attack, trying to get past Lescott once again, however this time the defender got their first and guided the ball out.
Eboue soon added to the attack by making a good run into the box. He took a shot from seven yards out but his effort was straight at Given, who gathered with ease.

The rest of the first-half was scrappy, fouls being committed in the middle of the park and no real chances for either side. Half time score Manchester City 0 Arsenal 0.

The second half started off with some good Arsenal possession.

However it was Manchester City who scored at the 49 minute mark. Tevez dis-possessed Rosicky before running into the box from the left and scored off the crossbar. 1-0 to Man City.

Arsenal had a chance from a corner however Rosicky’s effort from the near post goes wide.

65 minutes in and it seems that Vela is the one who looked most likely to score. He tried to run onto a through ball but Toure tracked back and Given was out quickly to gather near the edge of the box.

Just after coming on as a substitute, Watt won a corner on the left. The corner was taken short but it was partially cleared by City, Rosicky has a shot from distance but it was blocked.

On the break, Wright-Phillips ran from the halfway line to the edge of the box before launching the ball which ends up across Fabianski and into the top corner. 2-0 to Manchester City.

Arsenal did not lose faith or fight. There were a number of forward attacks however no breakthrough as City stood firm.

After 75 minutes Traore tried a long range effort from 35 yards but it was well wide.

A lot of tackles and challenges were coming in. 6 yellow cards for Arsenal, that’s a fine! :S

89 minutes in and Man City score again. Bellamy made a run down the left and crossed to Weiss who smashed the ball into goal. 3-0 to Man City.

Into extra time, Merida has a smash at goal, it hit the crossbar. So close to a consolation. Full match report here.

Match ends Manchester City 3 Arsenal 0. Déjà vu anyone??

Disappointing match as Arsenal are now out of the Carling Cup! But well done to the young guns for getting this far! They did not give up fight and tried to weave their way around the huge City players. I thought Vela was impressive tonight, he looks sure to get a clear chance, but I guess it was not meant to be. At least Adebayor didn’t score!!!

Let me know your thoughts!

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