Team news

Manchester City preview
Emmanuel Adebayor will renew rivalries with his old club Arsenal as Manchester City look to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals.

The Togo front-man scored and also picked up a three-match ban for an ugly clash with Robin van Persie when the two sides met earlier this season, since when Adebayor has struggled for form.

Kolo Toure is also in line to face his former club as City look to end a run of seven successive quarter-final defeats since they last reached the semi-finals of a major competition, the 1981 FA Cup.

Gareth Barry has been experiencing slight discomfort from separate injuries to groin and knee but Hughes is confident the England midfielder will be fit.

Hughes has backed Toure's leadership qualities to shine through and help end the 28 years of quarter-final frustration.

Handed the City captain's armband by Hughes following the summer exit of Richard Dunne, the Ivory Coast defender appeared to have settled into the job pretty well.

But, just as the Blues fortunes have plummeted, so Toure has started to struggle.

Now the growing feeling outside Eastlands is the 28-year-old is not having the kind of influence Hughes was expecting and speculation is rife he could be a man under threat should the City chief look to reinforce his squad during the January transfer window.

However, Hughes takes a different view.

In revealing Toure has been trying to ignore the pain of a back complaint to maintain his presence at the heart of City's defence, the Welshman accepts his #12million defender is not performing at his optimum.

But he still believes Toure is a positive influence and proving to be the leader he always wanted.

"Kolo is struggling with a little bit of form," said Hughes.

"He has had injury problems and at times has played when he was not quite right.

"But because he is the captain and wants to lead from the front he has put his hand up and said he wants to play.

"You can't criticise him for that but you can compromise yourself if you play when you are not physically up to the right level.

"There has been an element of that for Kolo but in general terms he has been fine.

Arsenal preview
Arsene Wenger is set to again test the depth of his Arsenal squad.

Philippe Senderos and veteran Mikael Silvestre are likely to start in defence to provide some experience, while fit-again Lukasz Fabianski should return in goal.

Youngsters Carlos Vela, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Sanchez Watt, Fran Merida - who scored against Liverpool in the last round - plus Craig Eastmond and reserve captain Kyle Bartley are all in contention.

Wenger has challenged his latest generation of young Gunners to follow in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas by using the Carling Cup as a springboard towards the first team.

Despite the disappointment of Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea, which left Arsenal some 11 points off the pace,

Wenger will stick to his policy of giving youth a chance, conceding the Carling Cup is "not one of our priorities".

The Carling Cup has long been a breeding ground for future Arsenal stars, with a certain young Spaniard making his debut against Rotherham during October 2003, at the tender age of 16 years and 177 days.

Wenger sees no reason why the current crop of youthful talent should not go on to become first-team regulars.

"The number of players who have come here and progressed to become top-class Premier League players is considerable - and one of the reasons is we have played them in the Carling Cup," Wenger said.

"This policy has been extremely successful - not necessarily in terms of winning the tournament, although we have been in the latter stages, but just because it is good preparation for the players to play in the Premier League." Wenger added: "Denilson and Alex Song are two very relevant examples now.

"They both played in midfield during our 6-3 win at Anfield three seasons ago, and are classic cases of how much this competition prepares players for the top flight.

Man City vs Arsenal

Last modified 14:19 08/01/10

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What a difference a win makes. And what a semi-final showdown now in prospect for the city of Manchester.

Booed off at the weekend after a seventh straight Premier League draw, City were saluted by their loyal fans last night as they took a step closer to a first trophy in 34 years.

A generation has passed since City last won a trophy in 1976, and if they are to end that long overdue wait this season, they must overcome their fierce local rivals.

City host Sir Alex Ferguson's side at Eastlands in the first leg of the semi-final on January 6, before the return tie at Old Trafford a fortnight later.

Given the drama the last time the two sides met back in September, when Michael Owen's 97th-minute goal gave United a 4-3 win, the rematch promises to be equally explosive.

No matter that Fergie will stick to his policy of playing his youngsters for the tie, while Hughes will play his strongest-possible side at his disposal.

Both will be desperate to emerge triumphant, City to put some fresh silverware in the trophy room, United to prolong their neighbours' agonising long wait.

United fans take particular delight in taunting City over their lack of success, a permament banner at the Stretford End ticking off the years since they last won a trophy.

That alone is motivation enough for City's players to overcome United, and if they play with the same flair and conviction as they did against Arsenal, they will have every chance.

Fate may also be playing a hand in City's pursuit of League Cup glory, for this season's final on February 28 comes exactly 34 years to the day since they last won it.

There may have been simmering discontent from City fans after so many draws, but all that was swept away with their clinical demolition of Arsenal's precociously-talented youngsters.

There was a palpable sense of expectation around the stadium, with flags placed on seats to create a fervent atmospehere.

The stadium lights were even dimmed prior to kick-off, to reveal a hologram of a blue moon, in an unashamed nod to Europe's top clubs on the continent.

Yet it all served to show how desperate City were to stay on course for the trophy they believe could be the springboard to challenge for the bigger prizes in the years ahead.

Despite some slick passing and movement from Arsenal, Wenger's youngsters were unable to match the intensity and drive of City, who simply wanted it more.

Carlos Tevez, a Carling Cup winner with United last season, put City ahead with a goal five minutes into the second-half that owed everything to his ceaseless work-rate.

Seizing on Tomas Rosicky's uncertainty, Tevez dispossessed the Arsenal midfielder and was set free by Craig Bellamy.

There seemed little threat when Tevez scampered across the edge of the area, but after leaving two Arsenal players in his wake, his angled shot soared into the top corner.

Shaun Wright-Phillips made sure of the win with a majestic 69th-minute strike, embarking on a surging run down before unleashing an arrow-like shot into the far corner.

Substitute Vladimir Weiss made it 3-0 a minute before the end, steering the ball in via the underside of the bar from Bellamy's first-time cross.

Wenger compounded his refusal to shake Hughes by the hand at the final whistle by dismissing the merits of winning the Carling Cup.

Arsenal may not consider it an important trophy, but try telling that to City's expectant fans, who are on the cusp of success after years of under-achievement.