CARLING CUP NEWS
Robin van Persie targets Man City revenge
Robin van Persie has told Arsene Wenger he is ready to seek revenge against Manchester City in the Carling Cup if the Arsenal manager opts to abandon his policy of resting his star names in the competition.
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Robin van Persie requires treatment after being stamped on.
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup threw up something of a grudge match as it pitted Arsenal against City in a repeat of the stormy Premier League fixture in September that saw Emmanuel Adebayor stamp on Van Persie and provoke the Arsenal fans with an inflammatory celebration after scoring against his former side.
Van Persie was so horrified by the behaviour of Adebayor - who received a three-match ban for his stamp - that he took the unusual step of issuing a statement in which he accused his former colleague of a "real lack of class".
The memories of that 4-2 defeat are no doubt still very raw and while Arsenal's fringe players disposed of Liverpool in the previous round last week, Van Persie hopes to be involved in the return to Eastlands.
"What's the draw? Manchester City away?" said Van Persie. "Nice. I want to play that one. If the boss decides to let me play, I'm happy. I'd love to play.
"It will be a good game because City have a good side, and I think it's a real challenge for the youngsters. If we can find the right mix, like we did last time against Liverpool, and play like that then we have a big chance of winning. The team showed some quality [last week], and we fancy winning that competition."
Van Persie was speaking following Arsenal's comprehensive victory over North London rivals Tottenham, as two goals from the Dutchman helped Wenger's side make Robbie Keane look foolish on Saturday.
The Spurs striker had suggested in the build-up to the tie that the two sides were evenly matched and that Tottenham had a stronger bench than the Gunners. But the gulf in class evident on Saturday suggested otherwise, according to Van Persie.
"It even feels good when we don't play them and they get beaten," he said. "They can say whatever they want. We'll just try to show it on the pitch and I think with a 3-0 result, that's what we showed."
