Talking Heads: Rodgers, Arteta, Barnes & Runarsson Preview Wednesday's Cup Tie
Following wins over West Bromwich Albion and Burnley for City and Fulham and West Ham United for the Gunners, both sides have made 100 per cent starts to their Premier League campaign.
Ahead of Wednesday's encounter between the two sides, key figures from both camps have been speaking in the media, discussing some of the biggest pre-match talking points...
Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers discusses City's opponents and last season's semi-final disappointment against Aston Villa: "You just have to play who's in front of you. So, yes, we'll look forward to the game. I think (last season's semi-final defeat) was disappointing for us because I thought, over the two games, we were the better team, but we didn't qualify, so that was a competition that hurt us last year. But you have to feel that pain in order to improve and progress, so it's a game that we'll give everything [in] to get into the next round."
Following Arsenal's 2-1 win over West Ham United, Mikel Arteta discussed the balance between team spirit and tactics: "I think there has to be a balance. It's how you keep the team alive all the time, on their toes and with the right spirit. It's something that you have to look at every day and try to fit it in the right way, to try and sustain it because it's so easy to lose. Then obviously, the tactical discipline, the understanding of what the game requires in each moment to make the right decisions. Again, it's vital and the standard that we have in the Premier League I think it's key as well but I think they are both really important."
Harvey Barnes looks ahead to facing the Gunners at King Power Stadium: "It should be very good. You know, last year we had a few good runs so, this year, we want to try and build on that if we can and take it that little bit further. We'd would love to go a little bit further this year and hopefully build on that and get to the final, even go on and win it, so we're looking forward to it. You can see they're an attacking force with the goals that they're scoring at the minute, so it's something that we're aware of. But, you know, with us being in such good form as well and scoring the goals that we are, we'll be up for it and hopefully take the game to them."
Alex Runarsson, speaking to arsenalfc.com, on emulating Arsenal's goalkeeping legends: "They are amazing - I remember watching [David] Seaman play when I was a small kid, the same with Jens Lehmann. Big characters, big personalities but also great goalkeepers. It is not easy to follow those guys but someone has to do it! Football would be no fun without having this type of pressure so it will be a challenge but I am up for it."