The Gunners are seeking what would be a record 13th triumph in the competition, moving them ahead of Manchester United in that regard, while City – also out of the Premier League title picture – are on course for a sixth success
Browsing: Manchester City
The 20-year-old Nigeria international has scored seven goals this season, but has found first-team chances harder to come by than during his debut campaign
Chelsea will meet either Arsenal or Manchester United in the final
The match was played at Saint Mary’s on Saturday
The young Nigerian is expected to slip down the pecking order this summer as City look to add another striker with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Kylian Mbappe and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang on their list
The Citizens returned to winning ways last time out and now enter a crucial fortnight in their season, while their opponents are seeking a top-half finish for a fourth year in succession
Iheanacho replaced David Silva in the 73rd minute of the tie
Having dropped points late against Bournemouth on Wednesday night, Liverpool went into the match knowing that a win was needed if they were to keep the top-four race in their own hands, with Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City all having won away to Stoke already this season
Given their eight-point cushion above the dropzone, Stoke probably have enough in reserve to ensure that they do not become embroiled in a fight to remain in the Premier League, but their form will be a worry to Hughes as he looks to take the club a further step forward
The Nigeria international was absent for the Blues’ shock 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend, three weeks after limping off the field against Manchester United
His compatriot, Kelechi Iheanacho, however failed to make the bench role despite his dazzling form during the international break against the Teranga Lions of Senegal
The hosts have slipped down to sixth place courtesy of a poor run of form before the international break, while Man City sit seven points better off in third
The Nigerian international has been pushed to the periphery of Guardiola’s squad – starting just five Premier League games this season
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the club had admitted to a misconduct charge for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion
City go into Sunday’s game at the Emirates in third, two points behind Tottenham in second place but with Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal in hot pursuit as the race to finish inside the Champions League places intensifies
United’s clash with City, which will see Jose Mourinho come up against former El Clasico rival, Pep Guardiola, once again, will be the first Manchester derby played overseas after last season’s scheduled match in Beijing was cancelled due to concerns about the pitch
It will be the first time that a Manchester derby has been played on a Thursday night since November 1994, when Man United recorded a 5-0 victory over their bitter rivals
In the end, the game finished all square in Manchester
City are still well-placed to finish in the top four – they have a game in hand over Liverpool and any slip-up from Tottenham Hotspur against Southampton in an earlier Sunday kickoff would give them the chance to move into second – but Pep Guardiola will be under no illusions that a more competitive title challenge is required next season
Saturday’s loss at the Hawthorns has left the Gunners five points adrift of the Premier League’s top four with 11 games to go