City-Arsenal II: Revenge

Yes, we should expect great things tonight at the gunfight, I mean, er, Eastlands. Both teams want revenge, want blood. Arsenal is out to take revenge for the embarrassment they suffered against us. We are out for revenge because, well, we just dislike that team. These are the best games to write about, because you can throw any score out as a prediction, and no one will be surprised. 2-1? 4-2? 9-1? Why not?

But seriously, while we might expect the charge to be led by the strike teams, this match might perhaps be won on fullback play. Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards have gotten a lot of flack, and while the Sun may be exaggerating a bit when predicting both will be axed in the winter window, they and the entire defense knows they are being watched as Hughes has the resources to make improvements if they don't meet expectations. I expect Hughes will lead a motivated team out on the pitch tonight, and hopefully that will mean our fullbacks come prepared to match Arsenal's talent at the position.

Speaking of talent, we should probably see some of Arsenal's developing talent on show tonight as well. The squad Wenger sends out will not be as formidable as the one that got squashed by Chelsea, but that does not mean a pushover for us, as we have seen in both their intense play over their cup run and the close scrapes we have had up to now in the competition. I am excited to watch this Arsenal, because in previous years we have seen some incredible stuff from the gunner kids like Vela and Fabregas. It's always nice to see the future of Arsenal football before it's sold to Spain.

So let's all kick back, relax, crack open a pint of IPA, and enjoy as City sends Wenger to another uncomfortable post-match interview explaining another cup disappointment.

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