Manchester City v Arsenal: Cup Final
Arsenal beat Chelsea two-one on Wednesday, they now join Manchester City in the League Cup Final. We preview that event, while remembering their victories
The Carabao League Cup Final will play out on February 25th. It will be contested by Man City and Arsenal. A first chance for major silverware will be an enthralling occasion. After a fairly entertaining first-leg which ended 0-0, we had a rousing second-leg. Ross Barkley also made his Chelsea debut at Emirates stadium. Barkley’s stats were decent.
A cool finish by Eden Hazard gave Chelsea the lead with a mere six minutes gone. Nacho Monreal’s bullet-header was deflected in as an Antonio Rudiger own-goal via Marcos Alonso. Cruel, yet an equalizer all the same. Granit Xhaka’s clever flick won it for Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger successfully focussed on double-marking Hazard. The Belgian was pivotal to everything Antonio Conte planned. Hazard was somewhat surprisingly used as a central striker, or a conspicuous ‘false 9‘. This tactic was utilised as Chelsea are not happy with their front-men. Adding to this, Alvaro Morata has been suspended.
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Manchester City
Premier League leaders Manchester City were never assured a final, especially against plucky Bristol City. The Robins have become world-famous or ‘viral’ recently. Mainly due to their inventive goal celebration ‘gifs’. 5-3 is a more than respectable score-line.
The Sky Blues firstly beat Bristol City 2-1 at the Etihad. The Championship side thought they’d escaped the fortress with a draw. Until Sergio Aguero got a ninety-two-minute goal. Back at Ashton Gate, the south-west Bristol outfit again gave Pep Guardiola’s men a tough match. It ended 3-2 in the second leg despite goals from Marlon Pack and Aden Flint.
En route to the Final, Man City have beaten Premier League sides Leicester City and West Brom, with Wolverhampton Wanderers in between. They have won the competition four times in their history. Leroy Sane leads their scoring chart in the competition with three.
Arsenal
The Gunners have now progressed to the final eight times. However, Wenger has lost twice at Wembley in this competition. Despite the Frenchman having won the FA Cup seven times. Henrikh Mkhitaryan was in attendance, although is unavailable having fielded for Manchester United in the competition.
Wenger said the victory was partly achieved from gaining a foothold in midfield through their,
"“…technically gifted players”"
Advancement to the Final came the north-Londoners way via defeating Doncaster Rovers, Norwich City, and West Ham. All fixtures leading up to Chelsea were at Emirates Stadium. Leading scoring in this Cup for The Gunners with two is England under-19 International Eddie Nketiah.
Which team do you have for the final? City are sure favourites, notwithstanding Wenger’s desperation to win his maiden Football League Trophy in his thirteenth English Final. The Final is 25 February at Wembley Stadium at 4:30pm (UK time).