So we have the chance to progress into a semi final, for some reason I am not as excited about this game as I normally would be. I just don't want to get my hopes up about getting to the semi final because then I start to dream about getting to the final!
The question is can we beat Arsenal and the answer is of course we can! We have beat them once this season and considering they will probably have a weakened team out this time around it is more than possible. Mind you, when I say weakened it will still be a very talented team, we all know about Arsene Wenger's young stars and what they are capable of.
If there was ever a time we needed our players to stand up and be counted it is tomorrow, we have had enough heartache and it is time we got some kind of payback and getting to a final of a cup would be a good start that's for sure, I know the final is two rounds away but if we beat Arsenal we are a lot closer to going on a trip to Wembley.
One thing is for sure, win or lose we will see how much our players care about our club tomorrow. If we see a slack performance then there has to be some questions asked about the commitment of our squad.
Man City Team News:
Petrov is out with a knee injury, Toure and Adebayor both look to have shook off niggles and should start the game. Gareth Barry may miss out with a groin injury.
Arsenal Team News:
Van Persie misses out with an ankle injury, Kieran Gibbs will miss the game due to a broken metatarsal in his left foot, Gael Clichy is struggling with a back problem and Nicklas Bendtner is out with a groin injury.
Possible Man City Line Up: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, De Jong, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Ireland, Tevez, Adebayor.
Possible Arsenal Line Up: Fabianski, Silvestre, Senderos, Traore, Eastmond, Gilbert, Ramsey, Merida, Eduardo, Walcott, Nasri.
My Prediction: Man City 1 - 0 Arsenal.
Worth A Bet: Lescott scores in a 1 - 0 City win.
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The crowd will be a key factor tomorrow. City are struggling for confidence and self-belief so it is absolutely vital that the crowd get behind the team the entire 90 minutes no matter how well or poorly we play. We need to get behind this team and let them know we believe as they are likely to be a little nervous given the weight of expectation we've been placing on them as of late. The crowd need to be able to pick them up, become the 12th man (like last season's match against Hamburg) and give them that little extra and they will find the self-belief that has deserted them. If we as fans are going to demand 100% commitment from the squad then we need to give them 100% commitment and support in the stands and turn Eastlands into a fortress!. That means no negativity whatsoever and NO "Hughes out" chants. Personally speaking the "Hughes out" crowd in my opinion are a huge part of the problem as impatience is our biggest enemy. Get behind the team or stay home!
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