Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City: Super-sub Aguero seals City win

Sergio Aguero provided a £35m sting in the tail as Manchester City's millionaires broke Arsenal's young hearts.

Aguero rounded off a lightning counter attack with a stunning 83rd minute finish to highlight the difference between the clubs.

Arsenal's mix and match of young and fringe players did themselves proud, bossed the game and yet could not find the finishing touch.

City had one clear cut chance, supersub Aguero took it and the Argentinian forward's ruthlessness proved that money can buy success after all.

It was cruel on Arsenal and the late, late drama explains why tempers flared and spilled over in the tunnel afterwards as public enemy number one Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Frimpong became embroiled in a heated row afterwards.

Frustration, anger and disappointment was etched over the faces of the Arsenal players and Arsene Wenger looked in utter despair at the final whistle.

Wenger had claimed that Arsenal cannot compete financially with City but will always compete on the pitch.

They competed but ultimately fell short and it is little wonder as there was around £100m difference in cost between the two line-ups.

Arsenal's side cost £27m while City's was more than £120m and for much of the game it did not matter as Wenger's second string outplayed their big spending rivals.

But when it came to the crunch, City delivered a stunning knock-out blow which floored Arsenal and they did not have enough time to recover.

Arsenal came so close and even had another chance in the last minute when Gervinho's cross just evaded Marouane Chamakh with the goal at his mercy.

Gunners captain Robin van Persie, rested and watching from the bench, jumped up and screamed in anger and frustration as the late chance went begging. The Dutchman would surely have put it away.

That summed up Arsenal's annoyance as they did everything but score and yet that has cost them another trophy.

City fans were chanting all night about Arsenal being a "feeder club" and the worry is that if they do not get van Persie next then it may only be a matter of time before they get the next star off the production line.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Francis Coquelin and Frimpong were all outstanding as City struggled to get a foothold on the game.

City boss Roberto Mancini had complained of fatigue before the game but he rang the changes and still managed to start with ten full internationals, England under-21 right back Nedum Onuoha being the only exception.

Arsenal went much younger with a few experienced heads dotted throughout and that left the home faithful fearing it could be an uncomfortable night.

But the Carling Cup seems to bring the best out of Arsenal and they dug deep in terms of spirit, determination and quality to make City look second best.

Arsenal came desperately close to taking an 11th minute lead as Coquelin's right wing cross found Ju Young Park and his effort was brilliantly saved by City's Romanian keeper Costel Pantilimon.

And if you thought the one weakness in City's squad was decent back up for Joe Hart, then think again. Pantilimon then tipped over a pile driver from Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Mancini was forced into a change as Aleksandar Kolarov was injured and replaced by Aguero while Nasri - his every touch booed by the Arsemal faithful - went across to the bench desperately trying to find out what he should be doing.

Oxlade-Chamberlain carried on Arsenal's dominance after the break as he cut in from the right, hit a fierce shot and Pantilimon beat the ball away again.

City were disappointing and former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves was booked in the 53rd minute as frustration seemed to be getting to him.

Arsenal pushed and pressed and were going all out for the winner when City finally found a breakthrough.

Edin Dzeko, who worked hard all night with little reward, combined with Adam Johnson and they set up Aguero whose pace took him through.

Aguero latched onto the ball, fired low past Lukasz Fabianski and City's travelling fans celebrated wildly as Nasri ended up having the last laugh.

Arsenal kept going until the end as Chamakh came within inches of getting an equaliser and substitute Andrey Arshavin fizzed in a long range effort.

But while Arsenal huffed and puffed, City's extra quality blew the door down. The title is already out of reach for Arsenal and now, so is the Carling Cup.

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