Arsenal vs Manchester City | Carabao Cup Predictions

With the Cup final today, here are some thoughts on what we can expect.

Match Time: 10pm IST, 5:30pm GMT

My Prediction

Arsenal 2-2 Man City

Arsenal win on penalties

Scorers

ARS: Monreal 45', Aubameyang 78'

MCI: Aguero 5', Aguero 51'

Courtesy: Sky Sports

Key Events:

• Aguero scores an offside goal
• Aguero scores a penalty
• Both Arsenal goals come from set pieces
• Game goes to extra time
• Ospina saves 2 penalties
• Late Manchester City red card

Arsenal

The Good

• Aaron Ramsey returns from injury and is available for selection (hopefully)
• You literally can win any final in which Ramsey is playing (FA cups final winners scored by Ramsey, remember?)
• Key players fit: Ozil, Mkhi, Auba, Ramsey all fit. Combo wombo team that can score wonder goals if they click
• Wembley effect: Arsenal have a cool win record in Wembley. Successful cup wins and beating Tottenham were welcome results

The Bad

• Arsenal have displayed horrible form in some of the past matches, not turning up for matches, defensive errors to name a few
• Super shaky defense even when the team is winning

Manchester City

The Good

• Kevin De Bruyne
• Aguero
• Pep's bald head
• Goal scoring juggernaut

The Bad

• Pep's bald head
• No fans to fill the stadium
• *Sometimes* shaky defense

Nothing like a Premier League weekend !

The English Premier League is undoubtedly the life and soul of my weekend. It's like a weekly pilgrimage to various stadiums, among the chanting fans and right there with the Game. Saturday mornings would be bleak without the EPL to look forward to in the evening. And the game never fails to deliver. Ever. There is always an amazing match/ goal / freaky event that just lights up the the day.

So its Saturday and I religiously do my work  (  something I dont do very often) and eagerly wait for the match to start. Ok its Kick-off time , I switch on th

Player Review: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The "next Theo Walcott" as many people have dubbed him to be but I beg to differ. Yes, Alex is similar to Walcott but yet in a class of his own. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain packs that much needed strength and and power that make the 18 year old extremely effective on the left.
Arsene Wenger's wonderkid signing was brought into Arsenal for a reported fee of 12 million euros from Southampton in the footsteps of Theo.

And did he make a mark in his opening matches at Arsenal! A skillful strike against Olympiacos in the Champions League made Alex the youngest Englishman to score in CL succeeding none other than Theo Walcott. If you missed that goal then here is a quick highlight just for you .

Here's the link  http://arsenalist.com/video/?id=SRs5KdG3yEv6Ozgt&t=videa

Player Review: Andre` Santos

Arsenal signed the Brazilian ace for 6.2 million euros after the nightmare at Old Trafford in order to plug the ailing defence. A quality player, Santos figures well with the team as a left back with an attacking approach. The 28 year old defender has 22 Brazil caps and has found the net 10 times for the Corinthians.
Andre Santos made his debut for Arsenal in the 4-3 loss to Blackburn FC. He gave an exceptional performance against Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League group match.


A known fact is that Santos has been known to play as a left winger too which has helped shape the left back's attacking bent of mind. His move to Arsenal to fill in for the absence of Gael Clichy was well appreciated by Arsenal fans.


Arsène Wenger (On Santos' move): “Santos is a quality player, with the ability to both defend well and get forward and help with attacks. He has experience in the Champions League and for Brazil and has proven he can deliver at the highest level. We welcome Santos to the Club and look forward to him having a big impact for us.”


On completing his move to Arsenal, Santos said to the media : "I am delighted to have signed for Arsenal. It was one of my dreams to play for a major European football club and I have accomplished this. I am very happy to be part of this team. All the Brazilians who came to this club spoke wonders about it and I am delighted to be part of the Arsenal family."


Santos is an experienced player with quick footwork and strong play. His presence will surely do wonders for the defence and help ease of the pressure of the injured prone Kieran Gibbs. His attacking skills have already been proved through the goal he scored against Olympiacos which shows that he can certainly be used as a winger if the need arises. I wish him the best of luck for his time at Arsenal .

Some facts about Andre` Santos


Born on             - 8 March 1983


Place of Birth     - Sao Paulo , Brazil


Playing Postiton - Left back/ Left Winger


Previous Club    - Fenerbahce (2009-2011)


Number             - 11

Laurent Kocielny and Johan Djourou back from injuries!

Both defenders have returned to full training after sustaining minor injuries .
(  Kocielny - ankle problem , Djourou - muscle strain )

Arsenal's depleted defense was aided by the presence of Alex Song who played as a center back in the North London derby .

The defensive duo had also missed the game against Olympiakos due to their respective injuries. Thankfully , both players would be available for Arsenal's clash with Sunderland on 15th October . However, Arsene Wenger might choose Djourou over Kocielny to play alongwith Mertesacker . The French defender hasn't had the best of matches defensively in the past few weeks which might create an opening for Djourou to get a first team start on Saturday.

Best of luck for Saturday's game Arsenal .