Carabao Cup final preview: Arsenal vs Manchester City
Arsenal FC will attempt to secure their third-ever League Cup crown when they face Manchester City FC at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon, March 22, 2026.
Victory would mark the club’s first trophy of the season and potentially signal the beginning of a highly successful campaign. The Gunners booked their place in their first domestic cup final since 2020 after eliminating Port Vale FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Crystal Palace FC, and Chelsea FC along the way.
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Manager Mikel Arteta now has the opportunity to make history by winning both of the major finals he has guided Arsenal into, particularly against opponents he has avoided defeat against in their last six meetings across competitions.
Despite suffering elimination from European competition earlier in the week, City remain contenders for domestic honours. Both teams understand the significance of this encounter, as success here could act as motivation for further achievements during the 2025/26 season.
City target ninth League Cup title
For the first time, the League Cup final will feature the top two teams in England’s top division at the time of the match. City manager Pep Guardiola will hope to gain an advantage ahead of their upcoming league clash with Arsenal later.
City reached the final by defeating Huddersfield Town AFC, Swansea City AFC, Brentford FC, and Newcastle United FC, winning each tie by at least two goals. The club is now pursuing a ninth League Cup victory and a fifth under Guardiola, which would make him the competition’s most successful manager.
However, their preparations have not been ideal. After a heavy midweek loss to Real Madrid CF in European action, City arrive at Wembley with just one win in their last five matches. They have also fallen short in their last two major finals, including a defeat to Crystal Palace when Eberechi Eze scored the decisive goal.
What managers said
Speaking ahead of the match, Arsenal boss Arteta emphasised the importance of the occasion: Arteta:“It’s one of the defining moments because at the end, it’s whether you win the trophy or not – and that’s the most important thing once you get to the final. But in order to be there, you have to do a lot of things and earn a lot of things as the team has done so far.
“One of the best memories I have as a player is playing those types of games. That’s why we’re all very excited, because we know what’s at stake. We really want it and we know what it’s going to mean for our people as well.”
City manager Guardiola also acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion: Guardiola:“We have got to Wembley 22 times in 10 years, it’s an honour and a big challenge. For the team it’s a big moment. When we reach the final, no matter the competition, it’s always tough.
“[Arsenal] are an exceptional team, it’s a big challenge for us to see our level. We see the level in Europe, other leagues and any competition. To be there, we have to see it as a big opportunity because we never know when it will happen again.”
Squad updates
Arteta is still monitoring the fitness of captain Martin Ødegaard, who has missed six matches due to a knee injury. Defender Jurrien Timber is also under observation after sustaining an ankle problem during midweek action.
City have confirmed that goalkeeper James Trafford will start the final. Meanwhile, Marc Guehi is unavailable due to previous participation for Crystal Palace earlier in the tournament, while Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined with a long-term leg injury.
Previous Wembley meetings
Arsenal have recorded four wins in their five previous encounters with Manchester City at Wembley. Their most recent success came in the 2023 Community Shield, when a late equaliser from Leandro Trossard forced penalties before Fabio Vieira scored the decisive spot-kick.
The two teams have also met in FA Cup semi-finals and Community Shield fixtures over the years, with Arsenal often producing strong performances at the national stadium.
