Arsenal are set to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at the Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
The two clubs, who are battling for the Premier League title, are seeking to win the first piece of silverware of the season.
Teams’ Form And Recent Performances
Arsenal
Arsenal have been one of the most consistent teams domestically, and in Europe this season.
The Gunners have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions including a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday night to proceed to the quarter final of the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side have also established a nine -point lead over Man City in the league standings albeit having played one game more.
The League Cup now presents Arteta and his boys an opportunity to win just their second major trophy since the Spaniard took over in 2019. The first being an FA Cup triumph over Chelsea during his first season in charge.
Man City
Man City have been short of consistency since the start of last season, though, Pep Guardiola’s side are currently mounting a title challenge against Arsenal, however, they have lost ground in the last two league matches having posted draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham United to give the Gunners an advantage.
The Citizens have also been eliminated from the Champions League having lost 5-1 on aggregate in the hands of Real Madrid.
They now have the Carabao Cup as well as the FA Cup as their opportunity to win a trophy this campaign in order not to go trophy-less just like they did the previous season.
Head-To-Head Statistics
Arsenal and Man City have clashed 203 times with the Gunners recording the most victories with 97 to City’s 58 while 48 matches have ended in draws.
The two teams have met in the Carabao Cup final once in the 2017/18 season with City recording a comprehensive 3-0 win. Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva all scored to hand Guardiola his first ever trophy in English football.
This is going to be the first time in history that two teams occupying the 1st and 2nd positions meet in a League Cup final.
Key Players Analysis
Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres has emerged as a very important player for Arsenal following a slow start to the season.
The Sweden international, who often makes runs into the box and uses his physical presence to challenge defenders, pulling them out of position to create space for the wide forwards has notched 16 goals in his debut campaign for the Gunners.
Eberechi Eze
Eze is a dynamic, creative attacking midfielder who can also play as a winger is known for his gliding dribbling style, close control, and ability to operate in tight spaces. He also excels at carrying the ball, breaking defensive lines, and using body feints to deceive defenders.
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The 27-year-old has scored nine goals and provided six assists in all competitions this season.
Man City
Erling Haaland
Haaland has been City’s standout performer this season, though he has dropped form in front of goal since the turn of the year. The 25-year-old, however, has registered 30 goals and seven assists in all competitions.
The Norwegian is a unique goal scorer with blistering pace, elite off-the-ball movement and clinical, powerful finishing. He has five goals and two assists in nine appearances against the Gunners.
Antoine Semenyo
Semenyo is a dynamic, powerful, and versatile forward known for his high-volume shooting, explosive dribbling, and intense work rate.
The Ghana international has been a revelation for City since his arrival in the January transfer window having netted seven goals and provided two assists.
Team News
Arsenal
Martin Odegaard, who missed Arsenal’s 2-0 win on Tuesday due to injury, could return to the team for this heavyweight clash.
Jurrien Timber could miss the Wembley showdown as Arteta claimed he doesn’t know when the Netherlands international will return to action.
Following an amazing opening goal against Leverkusen, Eberechi Eze was forced off with an ankle injury in the second half at the Emirates. Though, the England international stated he was “OK” at full time.
Mikel Merino will observe the game from the sidelines as he continues his recovery from a foot operation. The Spaniard is targeting a return before the end of the season.
Arteta is expected to stick with the starting line-up that progressed to the quarter final stage of the UCL with Gyokeres once again set to lead the attack.
Man City
Just like Arsenal, Man City are almost with a clean bill of health with only Josko Gvardiol on the treatment table as he is expected to be out for the season.
Marc Guehi is cup-tied after he represented Crystal Palace earlier in the competition and moved to Man City after their EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United in mid-January.
Haaland was substituted midway through the second half in the defeat to Real Madrid while City were chasing the game. Guardiola, however, insisted the Norwegian was fit and will be fine to play at the weekend.
The Spanish tactician is anticipated to ring the changes to the starting line up that suffered defeat in midweek.
Possible Starting Line-Up
Arsenal (4-2-3-1):
Man City (4-1-2-3):
Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Rodrigo; Bernardo, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Doku, Haaland
By Habeeb Kuranga
