Arsenal

Former Arsenal and Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta says during his playing days he wanted "fighters" around him, and is looking for the same now he is a boss.

"I liked to look around me, whether it's the staff, coaches, players and I wanted to see fighters," said the Spaniard.

"Normally when that happens, you have two types of people: fighters and victims. You need fighters and you don't want any victims. Victims bring excuses, victims bring negativity and they start to blame anything that is happening around them or is not going their way.

"You need people who fight, people who contribute and people who are ready to give everything to the club in this moment."

He added: "I know the responsibility that I have and why I am here. Everybody knows that from a few months ago, this wasn't going to be resolved really quickly. I think that's the consciousness of everybody at the club."

Image source, Getty Images

Is this a welcome distraction for Arsenal? Or a game they could do without?

The second quarter-final of the day pits the apprentice against the master - Mikel Arteta's Gunners host the side where he honed his early coaching experience.

Despite struggling in the league, Arsenal have already beaten Liverpool and Leicester to reach the Carabao Cup last eight, could Pep Guardiola's Manchester City be next to fall?

It's a big night tonight for Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli as he makes his first start since March after being out of action with a knee injury.

He came off the bench in the 2-1 loss to Everton at the weekend, but he's done enough to get a spot in the starting 11 tonight.

Eight changes for Arsenal as Runar Alex Runarsson, Shkodran Mustafi, Gabriel, Sead Kolasinac, Cedric Soares, Joe Willock, Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli start at Emirates Stadium.

Eddie Nketiah, Bernd Leno and Nicolas Pepe are among the substitutes.

Arsenal XI: Runarsson, Cedric, Gabriel, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Willock, Martinelli, Lacazette.

Substitutes: Leno, Tierney, Pepe, Pablo Mari, Nketiah, Smith-Rowe, Balogun.

Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Beranardo Silva are the only survivors from the Manchester City side that started the 1-0 win at Southampton last time out.

Gabriel Jesus starts after a jaw injury while City have a strong substitutes bench which includes Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling.

Man City XI: Steffen, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodri, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Silva, Foden, Jesus.

Substitutes: Walker, Stones, Sterling, Gundogan, Aguero, Torres, Ederson.

While we're waiting to hear from both managers - probably a very frustrated Steve Bruce - let's get some team news ahead of the second quarter-final tonight as Arsenal take on the reigning Carabao Cup holders Manchester City.

Karen Carney
Former England and Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

Nothing more than Brentford deserve. As poor and as shocking as Newcastle were, Brentford were brilliant, especially the back four. Josh Dasilva, player of the match, easily.

Overall a really good performance from Brentford and Thomas Frank will be absolutely ecstatic. Four Premier League teams now they have beaten. They are only going in one direction this club.

Wonderful from the Championship outfit, they knock out a fourth Premier League side to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals. The superb Josh Dasilva with the match winner.

And that's it!

Brentford are into their first ever major cup semi-final. What a win for the Bees.

Close!

Brentford almost wrap it up as Ivan Toney breaks into the area and Karl Darlow gets a fingertip to his effort to help it wide. Great save.

Karen Carney
Former England and Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Best moments have come where Jacob Murphy has just put the ball into the box. It's really simple and I don't know whether it's Steve Bruce's tactics or the players not listening to him but it's just been frustrating to watch.

Andy Carroll is flagged offside. The minutes are ticking away for Newcastle to get back in this.

Brentford are almost there...

Jacob Murphy fouls Saman Ghoddos and that relieves some pressure on the hosts.

It falls again for Andy Carroll at the back post but there are red and white shirts camped in front of the Brentford goal now.

Karen Carney
Former England and Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Route one and very direct from Newcastle. Two yards wide from Andy Carroll but if you don't shoot, you don't score.

FOUR minutes added on.

Ooh. Nervy moments for the hosts. Dwight Gayle takes a cross on his chest but it escapes him and goalkeeper Luke Daniels smothers it.

Brentford have never reached a major cup semi-final... Thomas Frank's side are minutes away from making club history here.

Wonderful from Ivan Toney, stopping a long punt forward from Luke Daniels dead and helping it out to the right. He almost gets the return pass too.

Karen Carney
Former England and Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

That just sums Newcastle up. Andy Carroll tackles his own player, gets the ball and smashes it nearly out of the stadium. Steve Bruce walks away and throws his air in the air.

Rob Gibson: Mark my words. If Bruce stays in charge, we will get relegated. Absolutely no doubt, his luck is running out. Can’t keep stealing results with awful performances. 3 losses incoming too with City, Liverpool & Leicester.

Tom