The 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. Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Arsenal v Man City?
The Carabao Cup final kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 22 March at Wembley.
How to watch the Carabao Cup final
Views 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.
What is the Arsenal team news?
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.
What is the Man City 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.
Arsenal v Man City predicted line-ups
Arsenal: 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 have the managers said?
Mikel 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.”
Pep 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.”
