Goal.com

30-Nov-2011 8:36:00 AM

The English winger has outlined the importance the tournament holds for the club and for the players who are competing for a place in the league leaders' starting XI

Manchester City star Adam Johnson spoke of what winning the League Cup would mean for the club after their 1-0 quarter-final win over Arsenal.

A late Sergio Aguero goal was enough to take them into the semi-finals, as both sides resorted to putting out a team largely made up of their fringe players.

City in particular had not been impressed by the close proximity of their Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday and this tie, meaning they were forced to rest some of their top players.

But Johnson told Sky Sports of the importance the close win holds for the side, saying: “If we can have come away with another trophy or another final it will be massive for the club, so it is another competition we want to win.

“It was a tough game for us. Having to come here having had a long week with a lot of travelling was hard but we have come away with a win and a place in the semi-finals now.

“We have obviously changed the team around and we have shown how strong some of our second string is. We are progressing as a team and a club and I hope that continues.

“For me and the lads who are playing in this competition this gives us an opportunity to try and get into the team playing week in, week out."

Johnson also discussed the assist he recorded for the Aguero goal in the final stages of the tie.

He said: “For the goal I just made the run, saw Sergio coming in behind me and managed to flick it to him and we got the 1-0 win.”

Edin Dzeko also played a crucial part in the win over the Gunners and spoke of what he took out of the game after an impressive centre forward display.

“I think we played well and like a team, which is the most important thing. I am happy with how I played. I am trying to do my best every game and I think today it went well,” he explained.

“From the beginning we played as normal with just me up front - one striker - with Samir Nasri in behind but then Aleksandar Kolarov got some kind of injury and Aguero came in so we played with two strikers from there. For any striker it is easier to play with two.”