Arsenal face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final as Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola’s rival sides compete for the first silverware of the season.
The Premier League title race will be put on pause as Arsenal bid to win their first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup final, and what could also be the of major trophies. The Gunners are also nine points clear of City, while through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League.
Guardiola, meanwhile, will be – having endured a trophyless campaign last year. City will need to recover from their Champions League exit against Real Madrid, but know that beating Arsenal in a Wembley final could act as a physiological blow ahead of the final stretch of the season.
Follow updates from Arsenal v Man City in the Carabao Cup final, below
Arsenal v Man City LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup final updates
- Arsenal face Man City in blockbuster Carabao Cup final | Kick-off 4:30pm, live on ITV and Sky Sports
- Gunners are in the hunt for unprecedented quadruple
- City could still win a domestic treble despite trailing in the title race
- Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
- City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
City team news
15:29 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola has made four changes to the side that lost to Real Madrid last time out.
In goal, James Trafford returns as has become customary for City in this competition.
In defence, Ruben Dias and Rayan Ait-Nouri are replaced by Nathan Ake and Nico O’Reilly, while the final change comes in midfield, with Tijjani Reijnders making way for Antoine Semenyo.
Arsenal team news
15:25 , Chris WilsonMikel Arteta makes just two changes to the side that beat Bayer Leverkusen in midweek, with cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga keeping his place in goal. The onyl other change sees Kai Havertz come in for Eberechi Eze in midfield.
Line-ups
15:19 , Chris WilsonCity XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Donnarumma, Reijnders, Stones, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden
Line-ups
15:19 , Chris WilsonArsenal XI: Kepa; Whitle, Gabriel, Saliba, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Subs: Raya, Mosquera, Jesus, Norgaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.
Team news
15:10 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be released in the next few minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news…
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start in goal ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, and there will be at least one enforced change as Marc Guehi is cup-tied. Erling Haaland, Rodri and Ruben Dias were among the players brought off during second half of the midweek defeat to Real Madrid, while Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly will be pushing to return to the starting line-up. Josko Gvardiol remains absent.
Mikel Arteta was keeping his cards close to his chest when he discussed Arsenal’s team news but did not rule Jurrien Timber or Martin Odegaard out of contention. Arteta refused to say whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would keep his place in goal ahead of David Raya; the Arsenal No 2 goalkeeper has started every round of the Carabao Cup this season, including the semi-final win over Chelsea.
Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka appear certain to start, while Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard could also remain from the side that began the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. But Arteta will have to decide whether to go with Riccardo Calafiori or Piero Hincapie left back, as well as whether to stick with Ben White if Timber is available.
Head-to-head
15:00 , Chris WilsonThis game will be the 214th meeting between Arsenal and City. Overall, the Gunners still have a great record against the Cityzens, having won 101 games to City’s 65.
Despite previously having a great record against the Gunners, City have failed to win any of the last six meeting, with their last win over Arsenal coming in April 2023.
Earlier this season, the two clubs played out a 1-1 draw in the Premier League at the Emirates.
Arsenal vs Man City: Carabao Cup final prediction
14:52 , Chris WilsonAny final is a huge game but this one has the feel of a potentially momentous occasion as Arsenal bid to overcome City on the biggest stage for the first time in the Arteta era.
A win here could set the tone for a historic season as the Gunners chase an unprecedented quadruple, though a loss could even swing momentum back in City’s favour as Guardiola’s side chase the league leaders.
Arsenal are the bookies’ favourites after a few weeks in which they’ve taken control of the Premier League title race while City have wilted, and this afternoon could the the day the Gunners finally banish their City demons.
Arsenal’s defensive solidity could once again be the key as they face a City side who have struggled to unlock teams recently, and if the Gunners’ attacking unit can click, they should have more than enough to win their first trophy since 2020.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Man City
Match stats
14:45 , Chris WilsonCity have lost their last two major finals, both in the FA Cup in 2024 (vs Manchester United) and 2025 (vs Crystal Palace). They have never previously lost three consecutive major final appearances.
However, Arteta has never lost at Wembley with Arsenal as either a player (W3 D1) or a manager (W2 D2), going on to win on penalties after all three of those draws.
Ruben Dias explains how squad overhaul has brought ‘hunger’ back to Manchester City
14:35 , Richard JollyRuben Dias has admitted Manchester City needed a huge overhaul to move on from their greatest generation and said their recent signings have given them an added hunger to win trophies.
Pep Guardiola broke up his treble-winning team by signing 13 players over three transfer windows in 2025 and 2026,
Meanwhile, some of City’s modern greats – and Dias’ long-time teammates – left, including Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Manuel Akanji and Ederson.
Arsenal v Man City LIVE
14:24 , Chris Wilson
Match stats
14:15 , Chris WilsonArsenal have lost more League Cup finals than any other side (six), most recently in 2018 against Guardiola’s City.
Meanwhile, City have won eight of their nine League Cup finals, with only Liverpool winning the competition more often (10).
Nico O’Reilly: The local lad with 0161 tattoo who could be key in Carabao Cup final
14:05 , Richard JollyAhead of the final, a piece on Nico O’Reilly from Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly…
A player who is making his mark has an imprint on him. Nico O’Reilly has got a tattoo of a telephone code: 0161, the prefix for Manchester numbers. “It’s where I grew up, Manchester, the area,” said Manchester City’s No 33. “It’s me, really, how I became who I am today. Growing up there, I really enjoyed it. I used to go out, play football every day with my friends. I’m still in touch with a lot of them.”
O’Reilly still plays football with his friends now. Except that those friends are Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias and Rodri. He grew up idolising Kevin De Bruyne and admiring Ilkay Gundogan; there have been games this season when an ultra-versatile player has taken their old roles in the City midfield.
A look at the 2018 League Cup final
13:55 , Chris WilsonThe last time these two sides faced off in a cup final was in 2018, when City ran out 3-0 winners in the League Cup final.
The match was Pep Guardiola’s first final in charge of City, and subsequently the first trophy of an immensely successful time in charge at the Etihad.
The scorers on the day include three legendary City names: Sergio Aguero put his side ahead in the opening 18 minutes, before captain Vincent Kompany added a second after half-time and mercurial midfielder David Silva rounded off the scoring.
Match stats
13:45 , Chris WilsonCity have won eight of their nine League Cup finals, with only Liverpool winning the competition more often (10). The Citizens have triumphed in each of their last seven finals, since a loss to Wolves in 1974.
Arsenal are looking to win the League Cup for just the third time, after victories in 1987 and 1993.
Manchester City close to their ‘extraordinary’ best – Pep Guardiola
13:35 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola believes Manchester City are “close” to getting back to their best despite their comprehensive Champions League defeat by Real Madrid.
City’s hopes of repeating their 2023 European success were ended this week as the Spanish giants completed a 5-1 aggregate success in the last 16.
The setback has not discouraged City manager Guardiola, who has seen enough in recent months to be optimistic even if he accepts there remains a gap to bridge at the very highest level.
Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to ‘bring it home’ and end trophy drought ahead of Carabao Cup final
13:25 , Chris WilsonMikel Arteta has declared Arsenal are ready to “attack the trophy and bring it home” ahead of their .
The Gunners will face Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley Stadium, aiming to end a six-year wait for silverware.
Their last trophy was the 2020 FA Cup final, the only prize of Arteta’s reign so far, but his team could yet secure a remarkable four trophies this season.
Pep Guardiola confirms Man City’s starting goalkeeper for Carabao Cup final
13:15 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Manchester City manager had indicated he was likely to pick his second-choice goalkeeper and has decided against going for Champions League winner Gianluigi Donnarumma at Wembley, where he won Euro 2020.
Trafford, who was called up to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel on Friday, has played throughout City’s Carabao Cup run and excelled in the semi-final against Newcastle.
13:05 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola: “I’ve said before, of course winning helps but we could win on Sunday and then be bad in the league and go (in) the opposite (direction).
“I’ve learned that in many competitions, with many games with a short recovery time, you have to have the ability to forget and move forwards in good and bad moments. Learn what you have to do better.
“Today in modern football we have a lot of games, a lot of competitions mixed during the weeks and everything.
“Psychologically you have to be prepared in the good moments and continue, and in the bad moments forget it and always learn from victories and defeats.
“We have been to Wembley 21 times in semi-finals and finals, so being there is an honour and a big challenge.”
What have the managers said?
12:55 , Chris WilsonMikel Arteta: “I’m really prepared and confident that we’re going to make it happen.
“When it comes to the crucial moments and when it comes to the moment to attack a trophy, take it and bring it home, that’s when you need to step up and make a difference.
“That’s why we are all very excited because we know what is at stake, and now it’s about the next step, the next game, and the fact that we are at the end of March and we are in four competitions tells a lot about the team.
“It’s one of the defining moments because at the end it’s whether you win the trophy or not. We need to prove that point. That’s clear. And that has to be done on the pitch.”
Arsenal v Man City predicted line-ups
12:45 , Chris WilsonArsenal: Kepa; Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
Man City: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, O’Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo; Cherki, Doku; Semenyo, Haaland
What is the Man City team news?
12:40 , Jamie BraidwoodPep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start in goal ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, and there will be at least one enforced change as Marc Guehi is cup-tied. Erling Haaland, Rodri and Ruben Dias were among the players brought off during second half of the midweek defeat to Real Madrid, while Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly will be pushing to return to the starting line-up. Josko Gvardiol remains absent.
What is the early Arsenal team news?
12:35 , Jamie BraidwoodMikel Arteta was keeping his cards close to his chest when he discussed Arsenal’s team news but did not rule Jurrien Timber or Martin Odegaard out of contention. Arteta refused to say whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would keep his place in goal ahead of David Raya; the Arsenal No 2 goalkeeper has started every round of the Carabao Cup this season, including the semi-final win over Chelsea.
Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka appear certain to start, while Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard could also remain from the side that began the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. But Arteta will have to decide whether to go with Riccardo Calafiori or Piero Hincapie left back, as well as whether to stick with Ben White if Timber is available.
How to watch the Carabao Cup final
12:33 , Jamie BraidwoodViewers will have the choice of watching on ITV or Sky Sports. Coverage beings on ITV 1 at 3:30pm, with a live stream available on ITV X.
Sky begin their coverage on Sky Sports Football from 3:30pm, and coverage on Sky Sports Main Event starts from 4:15pm. Sky customers can also stream the match on Now TV.
Good afternoon and welcome
12:30 , Jamie BraidwoodThe first silverware of the English football season will be decided when title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City meet in a blockbuster Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Arsenal have not won a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup but are on the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple under Mikel Arteta this season.
But Pep Guardiola’s team could deal Arsenal a blow with victory at Wembley, as they look to recover from their Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid.
City, who won the Carabao Cup four times in row under Guardiola between 2018 and 2021, also sit nine points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
It is a huge day for both sides, which could also set the tone ahead of further battles between Arteta and Guardiola’s teams this season.