Arsenal vs Man City - Carabao Cup QF Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream & Team News
Mikel Arteta comes up against old boss Pep Guardiola on Tuesday evening as Arsenal welcome Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium for their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.
The Gunners boss is under immense pressure after overseeing the club's worst-ever start to a Premier League season, one that has left them down in 15th place after taking just 14 points from as many games played.
City have also been below par this season, drawing two of their last three games, but did pick up a much-needed 1-0 win over high-flying Southampton at the weekend. They are, however, low on confidence in front of goal, having netted just 19 Premier League goals to date.
Guardiola does love a bit of Carabao Cup success though, and a good result here could be the catalyst for some much needed improvements from his side. Here's 90min's preview of the game.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? Tuesday 22 December
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (GMT)
Where Is It Played? Emirates Stadium
TV Channel? Sky Sports Football (UK)
Referee? Stuart Attwell
Team News
Arsenal are likely to be without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who Arteta fears could be sidelined for two weeks with a calf problem, and summer signing Thomas Partey, who felt a muscle twinge in the north London derby and is still short of fitness.
Granit Xhaka still has one match to go of his three-match ban, but Gabriel is available after his own suspension. Alexandre Lacazette is likely to be recalled up front, and Gabriel Martinelli could return to the starting XI after returning from long-term injury.
Gabriel Jesus missed City's win over Southampton with a dental problem, so Ferran Torres could lead the line again as Sergio Aguero is also short of minutes.
Aymeric Laporte, who has lost his place in the side to John Stones, could also be ruled out with an unspecified muscle problem, while Eric Garcia is sidelined until the new year after going off against Marseille in the Champions League.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Leno; Bellerin, Gabriel, Holding, Tierney; Elneny, Ceballos; Pepe, Lacazette, Martinelli; Nketiah.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Mendy; Gundogan, Rodri; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling; Torres.
Recent Form
Arsenal beat Liverpool on penalties in the fourth round to setup this fixture, but there's been little else to shout about in north London.
Defeats to Tottenham, Everton, Burnley, Wolves and Aston Villa have followed, four of which have occurred at the Emirates, and the Gunners' form is worthy of relegation candidates, rather than a team harbouring any European qualification hopes.
Manchester City are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, and they are relentlessly successful in the Carabao Cup under Guardiola - winning it for the last three seasons.
They did come unstuck against Arsenal in last season's FA Cup semi-final though, so Arteta does have that experience to draw upon if nothing else.
Here's how both sides have shaped up in their last five.
Arsenal
Everton 2-1 Arsenal (19/12)
Arsenal 1-1 Southampton (16/12)
Arsenal 0-1 Burnley (13/12)
Dundalk FC 2-4 Arsenal (10/12)
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Arsenal (06/12)
Manchester City
Southampton 0-1 Manchester City (19/12)
Manchester City 1-1 West Brom (15/12)
Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City (12/12)
Manchester City 3-0 Marseille (09/12)
Manchester City 2-0 Fulham (05/12)
Prediction
Manchester City have struggled for goals without Aguero and Jesus, but have sharpened up defensively after partnering John Stones alongside Ruben Dias in central defence.
Arsenal have also been short in the goals department and without captain Aubameyang, the onus is on young Eddie Nketiah to lead the line. He's struggled to get himself involved in recent games though, and City's experience - and strength of their side - should be enough to cruise past a deflated Gunners.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City