Arsenal – Manchester City

<i>ESPNsoccernet</i> will bring you live minute-by-minute commentary of Arsenal's Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester City.

You can get in contact with yours truly via Twitter <b><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/JamesDallESPN">@JamesDallESPN</a></b> with your pre-match thoughts. Team news to follow...

<b>Arsenal team</b>: Fabianski, Djourou, Squillaci, Koscielny, Miquel, Frimpong, Coquelin, Benayoun, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Park, Chamakh. Substitutes: Mannone, Yennaris, Vermaelen, Eastmond, Ozyakup, Gervinho, Arshavin.

<b>Manchester City team: </b>Pantilimon, Onuoha, Kolo, Savic, Zabaleta, de Jong, Hargreaves, Johnson, Nasri, Kolarov, Dzeko.

While I await news of Manchester City's subs, let me take this moment to say good evening.

Pleasantries over, let us muse on the match ahead.

Aha, the City subs' bench: Richards, Bridge, Taylor, Aguero, Suarez, Rekik, Razak.

Both Arsenal and City drew 1-1 in the Premier League at the weekend, but certainly the latter would have been far happier with their point. Both managers have shuffled their packs for this midweek affair, with the contest a battle of whose second strings is the stronger.

Our very own John Brewin (my boss) is at the Emirates tonight. He's just re-fuelled, via some salmon, and ready to roll ahead of penning a feature on this encounter - so keep your eyes peeled for that on ESPNsoccernet post the final whistle.

Team news-wise, Hargreaves makes his second start for City since joining the club in the summer. Wenger considered signing him, the Frenchman revealed today.

Squillaci plays, which of course must be a concern for Arsenal fans, because, let's be honest, he is a bit rubbish.

And of course Samir Nasri faces his former club. Plenty of booing expected. Might Nasri feel a little bit flat that he is utilised by City in their Carling Cup team?

They are about to get under way elsewhere, as this match kicks off 15 minutes later than tonight's other two Carling Cup matches. Join Dec for chatter on those games, but be sure to return to this comm - or, if you are a tech whiz, have two tabs up. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/989831/matchday-live---november-29?cc=5739">Here's</a> the link.

A two minute's applause was just brilliantly observed at Chelsea in honour of the late Gary Speed. Expecting the same here.

Plenty of handshakes going on in the tunnel between Kolo Toure and his former team-mates.

Both sides march out. City are sporting their warm-up jackets, which, I feel, look a bit daft.

And the unified applause begins in the late Gary Speed's honour.

The applause comes to a halt and a silence ensues. Singing soon breaks out, the fans chanting "there's only one Gary Speed".

Now a roar as the beginning of the game approaches.

<b>KICK-OFF:</b> City get the game under way.

Immediate boos for Nasri, who took the kick-off.

Boos again, but this time for the ref after Coquelin's pass hits the official.

Succession of throw-ins ongoing at the moment, all down Arsenal's left.

Chamberlain looks to race onto a searching ball but the pass is too heavy.

Kolarov scampers down the left and zips in a nice cross, but there is no man in blue to attack it.

Bullish run from Chamberlain down the right gets the home fans on their feet.

Aguero warming up on the touchline. Hargreaves injured already?

Been a solid battle thus far, some committed challenges.

Johnson picks up the ball on the right and darts inside. He hits a wicked effort that clips the top of the netting, much to Fabianski's relief.

Typically iffy kick from Fabianski leads to groans from the home fans.

How has that not gone in? Costel Pantilimon is the hero after Arsenal attacked down the right and a swift cross was fired in. Park arrived at the back post and stabbed at goal, but somehow the keeper palmed it away.

It was an excellent cross from Coquelin to assist Park, while Chamakh's hold up play was encouraging.

City enjoying some possession across their backline, taking the sting out of the game somewhat.

Zabaleta tries his luck from 25 yards out but he was closed down quickly and the shot skimmed wide.

Silky move from Arsenal but City stand firm. Chamberlain was at the heart of it.

Hargreaves clips a ball deep and Dzeko looks to race clear, but he is a yard offside and the flag goes up.

De Jong and Hargreaves versus Coquelin and Frimpong is quite the contrast in terms of experience. A great battle.

Probert is letting most things go. It makes for a decent tempo, but certainly there have been several fouls not given so far.

Chamakh just skinned Savic, but Zabaleta did very well to sprint back and win the ball back.

Coquelin is in some pain after a nasty fall on his ankle.

Chamakh has looke a little sharper than of late. We shall see if that continues. Coquelin now back on.

Very tight affair thus far. Space is few and far between.

Corner to Arsenal. Coquelin's strike is squeezed out via a deflection.

Chamberlain takes the corner but City clear with ease.

Chamberlain shows of strength and skill as he works his way out of a tight space.

Awesome save! Chamberlain hits a long-range effort first time with his left foot. The City keeper spring to his left and gets a hand to the goalbound shot.

Corner to City...

Hairy moment from Fabianski as he only gets fingertips to the corner, with Savic lurking.

Another corner to City following a cross from Kolarov. Chamberlain had lost the ball in a dangerous area.

Arsenal defend the corner, though. And now are back on the ball.

City spring clear and Nasri threads in Johnson, but Fabianski is quickly off his line to smother. A vital bit of reading from the keeper.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Aguero is coming on, replacing Kolarov.

Kolarov looks pretty vexed at being subbed off.

City definitely look the better down their right. They win a corner, from that avenue.

When Aguero was brought on, Nasri looked all set to leave the field, but instead it was Kolarov. Odd moment.

Gone a bit quiet after a frenetic patch. City looking the calmer on the ball.

Frimpong has put in some quality tackles, but his passing has been a little off.

City have had 60% of the possession so far.

Chamberlain there with a cheeky nutmeg on De Jong.

Coquelin plays the game at 100 miles per hour. Seemingly always sprinting.

Hargreaves has been very quiet so far, doing his shielding job of the back four relatively effectively.

Looking destined for a goalless first half (commentators' curse?) with the atmosphere seemingly resigned to it too.

City still keeping the ball better. Yet to really test Fabianski though.

One minute of added time will be played.

<b>HALF-TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City</b>

Well, that was a half full of willing but lacking that little bit of quality that opens up games. Chamberlain's long distance strike was arguably the highlight, while Costel Pantilimon also made a superb save from Park. Johnson threatened for City, flashing one over the bar.

Restroom break for me. And maybe a hot chocolate. Things get <i>that</i> crazy at ESPN towers.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1129/arsenalfansjudasbanner_275x155.jpg";> <br>Arsenal fans hold up a banner berratting former players Clichy and Nasri

Right, hot chocolate quaffed and we're poised for the second half.

<b>SECOND HALF:</b> Arsenal get the next 45 minutes under way.

Ooo. Dzeko hits a right-footed shot from 20 yards that curls just wide of the Fabianski's left post.

Kolarov's sub was down to a small tweak of a quad muscle, apparently.

Tepid start to the second half, in truth. The tempo needs injecting back into the game.

Yep, it's scrappy. Mancini is on his feet, looking pensive.

Corner to Arsenal...

Chamberlain is the man pressing the most. Again he forces Costel Pantilimon into action. Both times he fires in from the right.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1129/parkju-youngshot_275x155.jpg";> <br>Arsenal's Park Ju-Young watches his shot get saved by Manchester City's goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> First booking of the game, and it is for Hargreaves who is penalised for pulling back a powering Frimpong.

Johnson just released Aguero with a fabulous pass, but the Argentine mucked it up with a poor touch.

Nasri enjoys some of the ball, but the boos rain down. Aguero then has a pop from distance but there is no accuracy to the shot and it floats over.

Zabaleta bombs down the left and hooks in a cross, which Dzeko diverts at goal. But the angle was awkward and the Bosnian's shot flopped wide.

Extra-time could happen, remember?

Chamberlain jinks down the right but the angle is against him and his cross is out for a goal kick.

Koscielny makes two terrific tackles to restrict City. The fans loved that.

Hargreaves has a pop but he gets right under the ball and the effort is skied well over the crossbar.

City doing the pressing here with Arsenal currently unable to keep hold of the ball.

Gridlock, at present. Perhaps a change could alter things? Arshavin currently warming up.

Chamakh currently coughing quite emphatically. Doesn't seem well.

Arsenal attack. Benayoun rolls a ball into Chamakh, but he is pushes wide and soon stabs one over and wide.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Gervinho enters the fray in place of Park.

Arsenal have reverted to their familiar 4-3-3 with Gervinho's introduction.

Gervinho skips down the left but Nedum Onuoha defends well to usher him out of play.

Arsenal now the ones in the ascendancy. They still seem to lack penetration.

Coquelin really has been impressive, pretty much running the midfield.

Arsenal play the ball out to the left but the low cross is only diverted out for a goal kick.

Arsenal zoom forward but Toure is the man to deny Gervinho following a fine pass from Chamberlain. Corner to Arsenal.

Chamberlain hits a volley into the turf but it is straight down the keeper's throat.

Toure's made a couple of key interventions over the last few minutes.

Mancini must be considering a change, having made his first and only one thus far in the first half.

Zabaleta chips in a cross from the left and Dzeko leaps. He gets his head to the ball but the effort drops off target. A decent chance.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Hargreaves is off for Razak.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Miquel is replaced by Vermaelen, who will slot in at left back.

Gervinho springs down the left but excellent tracking back from Dzeko halts the Ivorian.

Arsenal surge on a counter, and Gerviho's cross is hacked out for a corner at the last. Almost from the Gunners.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Aguero scores for Manchester City!

City counter from Arsenal's corner and Dzeko leads the way. He slips the ball forward to Johnson, who lays off to Aguero. The Argentine duly slots in. A superb counter-attack.

Just how tall is this City keeper, really? He is huuuuge.

That was City's first shot on target.

Gervinho cuts in from the left and hammers at goal, but the shot is very wayward.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Chamberlain is replaced by Arshavin. The Englishman has been decent.

Koscielny of all people finds himself in the box but his cross in is clipped away at the near post.

Corner to Arsenal.

Comes to nothing, though. City look set to see this out.

Three added minutes will be played.

Corner to Arsenal...

Fabianski is coming up...

The ball is claimed and City pump it forward with Fabianski out of his goal. He recovers to clear.

Gervinho whips in a wicked cross but Chamakh couldn't make it. His head was about a yard away. RVP looks frustrated in the stands.

Free-kick to Arsenal in a decent position. Last chance.

Frimpong's free-kick is cleared and then Arshavin drives back in. The keeper is there, comfortably.

<b>FULL-TIME:</b> Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City.

City are through to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup thanks to Aguero's goal, which was indeed very good. Arsenal are out, and will feel aggrieved at not having taken their half-chances. Thank you for joining me this evening. Stay with us for post-match reaction and coverage of the rest of tonight's results. Over and out.