Arsenal To Play Manchester City In Carling Cup Quarter Final

Arsenal have drawn Manchester City at home in the Quarter Final of the Carling Cup, to be played during the week of November 28. 

It means that our kids and reserves will get a chance to test themselves against City's reserves, meaning that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will come up against the likes of Pablo Zabaletta and Kolo Toure, while Ignasi Miquel and Nico Yennaris can test themselves against £25m reserve Samir Nasri. 

The City match comes between a home game against Fulham and a trip to Wigan, both of which are very winnable fixtures, even with the likes of Francis Coquelin and Oxlade-Chamberlain coming in. It is feasible that Arsenal could play a stronger side against City, but that is entirely dependent on our league and Champions League situation. If Arsenal win on Tuesday, and other results go the right way, leading to qualification as the first placed team, Arsene Wenger could play the Carling Cup side against Borussia Dortmund and play the first team against Manchester City. 

Of course, beating Manchester City doesn't mean much. It'd be great to beat them, and great to move into the semi-finals, but why waste Robin van Persie, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta when the league is much more important this season. Play the kids, and hope they have the game of their life. If they don't, well, Manchester City will likely putout one player, Samir Nasri, who costs as much as AOC, Coquelin, Frimpong, Miquel and Ryo Miyaichi combined. Leave the Carling Cup for the people who benefit from the increased game time (like Samir Nasri!).