Man City v Arsenal preview

Adebayor: Expected to start

LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Watch Man City v Arsenal live on Sky Sports 1, HD1 and online with Sky Player from 7.00pm on Wednesday.

Related links

Teams

• Arsenal
• Manchester City

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• Transfer Centre
• Fantasy Football

Emmanuel Adebayor will be charged with the task of denting former club Arsenal's bid to end a trophy drought when Manchester City continue their quest for silverware in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

The ex-Gunner is expected to face his old side, who are without a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup, in the quarter-finals at Eastlands for the first time since the controversial Premier League fixture between the two sides in September.

Adebayor caused outrage almost three months ago when he stamped on the face of Robin van Persie before running the length of the field to celebrate in front of travelling Arsenal fans following his goal in City's 4-2 victory.

Manager Mark Hughes insists he has no qualms in selecting Adebayor, who swapped Arsenal for City in a £25million July move, despite the furore which earned the striker a ban, fine and warning over his future conduct after two disciplinary charges.

The Togo international is expected to start and Arsene Wenger's Gunners will therefore be keen for revenge alongside the opportunity to prove a point to critics who have raised their heads again since the setback at Sunderland in late November.

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes took a greater dent in Sunday's significant defeat to Chelsea on home soil and the manner of the loss offered substance to suggestions Wenger's side lack experience, men against boys.

Problems

But City, who have not won a major trophy since League Cup success in 1976, have their own problems after seven successive league draws and rumours suggest that Jose Mourinho is being lined up to replace Hughes.

The Welshman will know that a place in the Carling Cup semi-finals would help to distract the vultures and he looks set to select a strong team featuring the majority of his expensively-purchased summer recruits.

Adebayor, who has scored only once since his suspension, should partner the returing Craig Bellamy in attack, with fit-again Robinho floating behind and Stephen Ireland, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Nigel de Jong in midfield.

Nedum Onuoha is keen for a place in City's struggling defence but he, and Micah Richards, could find it difficult to dislodge Wayne Bridge, Joleon Lescott, Kolo Toure and Pablo Zabaleta.

Wenger does not look likely to abandon his policy for allowing younger members of his youthful squad the opportunity to impress, despite the daunting task of facing an almost full-strength City side.

Vito Mannone should start in goal, with Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Fran Merida and Gilles Sunu also featuring in the first XI.

A number of injuries to the likes of Robin van Persie mean reserve team captain Kyle Bartley and Craig Eastmond may also be involved.