One City player will have Rav-enge on his mind when Arsene Wenger’s mighty Gunners roll into Valley Parade tonight.

For Ricky Ravenhill, the sight of Arsenal in the last eight of the Capital One Cup will bring back bittersweet memories.

Seven years ago, Ravenhill was in the Doncaster midfield as they faced the same opposition at the same stage of the competition.

It was a dramatic night when Rovers twice led – only to be pegged back and eventually beaten in the heartbreak of a penalty shoot-out.

Arsenal’s second equaliser from Brazilian Gilberto came with the last kick of the game in extra-time.

Ravenhill recalled: “It hurt for a few weeks afterwards because we really thought we were going to beat another big team. We’d already knocked out Man City and Aston Villa and started to believe ‘this could be our year’.

“They had good players and put us under a lot of pressure and Gilberto Silva popped up with the second equaliser right at the end of extra-time.

“We thought we’d had the game won and that goal changed everything. Manuel Almunia saved a couple of our penalties and they sneaked it.

“It’s a while back now but it’s still a game that I look back on and cherish. We certainly didn’t disgrace ourselves then and hopefully we can do just as well tonight.”

Given City’s all-conquering record from spot-kicks, Arsenal might fear a repeat scenario in West Yorkshire. Ravenhill admitted the hosts would grab the chance to take it to a shoot-out.

“We would take that now,” he added. “Whoever takes them, we’d have to be confident after the past performances we’ve seen. But we’re going to have to work harder than ever to get there first.

“I know for a fact that we’ll give it everything and come flying out the traps.

“It’s going to be an amazing night seeing Valley Parade full and that spurs you on to find that bit extra.

“It’s a bonus game for us and the pressure is all on Arsenal, like it was for Wigan in the last round.

“That makes it tough for them. It’s like us going down to play someone in the Conference or Conference North.

“It’s hard to keep your standards high when you’re dropping down and playing a team from lower-league football.

“Some of the players might think it’s going to be easy for them. I’m not saying that will be the case but one or two may not be in the right frame of mind and that way you can catch a few teams napping.”

Wenger fielded a largely youthful side at Doncaster in December 2005 and tends to throw in the youngsters in cup games. But City must still bridge a significant gulf in class.

Ravenhill said: “Robin van Persie was playing that night but they were mainly youngsters. I remember being up against Rigobert Song just before he broke into the team properly.

“But they were all still technically immaculate. You don’t come through the Arsenal system without being very good players.

“You know it’s going to be hard to get the ball off them so you have to be patient and remain disciplined. You’ve got to keep your shape and try to hang in there.

“There will always be chances in the game, no matter who you are playing. If you take that one chance and they have a bit of an off day, who knows what could happen.

“We want to give a good account of ourselves but you’ve also got to enjoy it and savour these nights because you never know when they are going to come round again.”