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Carabao Cup Preview: Arsenal to face Manchester City as Guardiola comes eyeball to eyeball with Arteta
22nd March, 2026 02:36 PM
Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City are set to face off in the Carabao Cup final this Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium.
The 7:30 pm kickoff presents an early opportunity for silverware for two sides currently locked in a tight title race.
City enters the clash boasting a superior record in this competition. Pep Guardiola’s men have won eight of their nine League Cup finals, with only Liverpool (10) winning the trophy more often.
The Citizens have triumphed in each of their last seven finals since a loss to Wolves in 1974.
This weekend marks Arsenal’s 52nd appearance at Wembley Stadium, where they aim for a 28th win at the historic venue.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last five trips to Wembley, winning each of the last four. This run includes victories over City in both the FA Cup semi-final and the Community Shield. A loss in the 2018 League Cup final remains Arsenal’s only defeat in their last five Wembley meetings with the Manchester club.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has scored in each of his last three games against the Gunners in all competitions. However, he has notably failed to find the net in six career appearances at Wembley.
Guardiola, while previewing the clash, admitted to Arsenal’s run of form heading to the tie. His nemesis and former assistant, Mikel Arteta, on his part, was full of praise for his former teacher, having worked under Arteta at City before joining Arsenal
Team news
Manchester City have confirmed that goalkeeper James Trafford will start, having played in every round of the tournament so far. Defender Marc Guehi is cup-tied after representing Crystal Palace earlier in the competition, while Josko Gvardiol remains a long-term absentee with a fractured leg.
Arsenal will assess skipper Martin Ødegaard, who has missed the last six matches with a knee problem. Jurrien Timber is also a doubt after coming off early against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek with an ankle issue.
While Eberechi Eze is a minor concern following a knock in that same European tie, his appearance in Saturday’s training session is a boost. Mikel Merino remains the only confirmed absentee.
Tactics and formations
Guardiola has recently utilised an unusual 4-1-3-2 formation, stationing Rodri as the sole defensive midfielder behind Bernardo Silva, Nico O’Reilly on the left, and Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, or Phil Foden on the right. In attack, Haaland has been partnered with either Semenyo or Omar Marmoush.
For Mikel Arteta, Victor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to lead the offense. Martinelli holds an impressive recent record against City, having recorded one goal and two assists in his last three appearances against them.
