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The only priorities which Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger seems to place on the Carling Cup, is to give his youngsters some valuable first team experience. Again the Frenchman will field the young Gunners against Manchester City, which should make for a very interesting game. Arsene Wenger will stick to his guns with his youth policy as they head north to take on Manchester City and Emmanuel Adebayor. Many will remember that it was a clash against Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie earlier in the season that earned ex-Arsenal player Adebayor a three match ban. That has no chance of happening again as Van Persie is out for several weeks after picking up an injury playing for his country.

This will be Manchester City’s best chance of making it past the quarter finals in the league cup for nearly 30 years. It would look that way on paper, but Manchester City at the moment, do not know how to do anything other than draw games at the moment. Quite comically in a way, they have tied 7 out of their last 8 games, with their only victory coming in the last round of the Carling Cup against Scunthorpe. This is a puzzling factor for boss Mark Hughes, as they just cannot seem to get over the winning line in their matches, even from the position of leading games for long periods. The lack of returns from the clubs big summer spending is now becoming an issue.

Arsenal’s youngsters do continue to prove themselves, as displayed in the last round, where they beat Liverpool. A win would lift club spirits after the senior players were demolished in the league by Chelsea on Sunday. Despite Arsene Wenger’s insistence that their title hunt isn’t over, it is with some guts that he sticks by his youngsters in this competition, as it does represent a good chance for them to genuinely compete for silverware. Whether selection issue devalue the competition or not, it is a firm testing ground for the youngsters at the club. It was how Cesc Fabregas found his fame, and look at him now, one of the best players in the Premier League.

Manchester City will likely push hard with senior players, as seeing the Carling Cup sitting in the trophy cabinet at Eastlands, would at least show some forward momentum from the expensively amassed squad. Arsenal’s approach will be easy come easy go, but it could be a good open, entertaining and attacking game.

Manchester City to win: Evens at BetFred
Draw: 11/4 at ExtraBet
Arsenal to win: 10/3 at Coral

Betting Advice: Should be a fun match to watch. The Arsenal youngsters  like to attack with enthusiasm, while keeping to the fluent passing ethos of the club. They will likely be tested more than they were against Liverpool in the previous round, as Manchester City will be hungrier for success in this competition than the London club are.