WTTGT Reporter: Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
ARSENAL 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY
Arsenal crashed out of the Carling Cup after a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City thanks to a late goal from Sergio Aguero.
Arsenal made wholesale changes to the team who drew with Fulham at the weekend, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Yossi Benayoun and Ju Young Park all starting. Whilst Arsenal old boys Samir Nasri and Kolo Toure lined up for Manchester City.
After an even first five minutes, City winger Adam Johnson had the first genuine attempt at goal, cutting in from the right but his shot flew just over the bar.
Then Arsenal had their first attack, when good play from Chamberlain and Marouane Chamakh found Francis Coquelin whose first time low cross picked out Park, but his attempt was well saved by Costel Pantilimon. He was called into action again to deny Chamberlain after the youngster let fly with his left foot from outside the area.
As the half wore on City took control of possession and threatened going forward and brought Sergio Aguero on for Aleksandr Kolarov. But a half of few chances ended goalless.
Arsenal started the second half on the front foot with Park almost finding Benayoun in the penalty area, before Edin Dzeko fired a shot wide for the visitors.
There was no doubt that Chamberlain was the main Arsenal threat causing City problems down the right hand side, drawing a save from Pantilimon.
With the game so tight, Arsenal made a change with Gervinho replaced Park, as Arsenal reverted back to a more familiar 4-3-3 system.
Edin Dzeko headed wide from a Pablo Zabaleta cross, as City searched for that all important first goal. A swift Arsenal counter attack led by Johan Djourou eventually was crossed by Gervinho but City defended well to clear for a corner.
From that corner the visitors launched a swift counter attack of their own as Edin Dzeko found Johnson who laid the ball off for Aguero who slotted past Fabianski, to leave his team on the verge of the Carling Cup semi-finals.
With five minutes to go the home team began to press for an equaliser to force the game into extra-time and forced a corner for which Fabianski came forward but that set piece came to nothing.
Gervinho played a dangerous ball across the face of goal but Chamakh failed to connect, Andrei Arshavin had a volley which was deflected was saved by Pantilimon as the Gunners hopes of carling cup silverware ended.
Match Highlights
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