Arsenal head to Wembley Stadium on Sunday for their first cup final in 6 years as their quest for an historic quadruple will face its first test against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
The Gunners have been enjoying an exceptional season so far. Domestically and abroad, they have set themselves up for a shot to make history as the first English side to win all four major trophies – the Premier League title, the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup. It’s fanciful at best, foolish
at worst, but as long as there’s a chance, nothing is outside the realm of possibility.
Sunday is the first shot at silverware this season for Mikel Arteta’s side. While the Carabao Cup lacks the luster of the other competitions, it is an unequivocal tone setter for the run-in. The Gunners are cresting at the moment, while City are reeling. There isn’t a better chance to deliver a knockout blow than Sunday for a side that has been chided and derided for coming so close yet finishing so far in recent campaigns.
Arsenal at Wembley in a final. It’s been a long time coming, and it is a deserved moment for the players. With any hope, Sunday will be the first of several momentous occasions for the Gunners this season. Can they ride their current form, conquer their opponents, and enter the break with their first trophy in six years?
Here are three talking points ahead of Sunday’s match:
Know the Enemy
Manchester City enter Sunday’s Carabao Cup final having defeated Newcastle United in the semifinals in February.
It’s been a very unCity-like season for Pep Guardiola’s side. Long gone are the City sides of recent seasons that strolled onto the pitch and swept aside all comers with ease, as they have struggled to assert themselves in key moments.
Following a run of injuries in December, City went and casually signed two of the league’s most sought-after talents in defender Marc Guehi and attacker Antoine Semenyo, bringing their spending in the 2025/26 season to approximately £256m and adding two PL-proven players. In the wake of those major signings, City, somehow, have struggled to kick on and find consistent results.
January started with three consecutive draws in the league before a loss to rivals Manchester United and a CL loss to Bødo/Glimt. A draw against a woeful Tottenham to start February was followed by a run of 6 wins on the trot. But then March arrived, and draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham in the Premier League saw their title hopes dealt a massive blow before Real Madrid once again booted City out of the Champions League for the 4th time in their last 5 knockout meetings.
And yet, there is still the lingering, ominous Pep effect. Few managers can propel their sides to end-of-season runs quite like Guardiola. The iconic manager has won more trophies than any other manager not named Sir Alex Ferguson, and counting him or City out is a fool’s errand, as Mikel Arteta knows all too well. Sure, this City isn’t THAT City that dominated the league, but Pep is still a man hell-bent on finding every possible tactical advantage to leverage.
No club is as dangerous as a desperate one, and City will enter the final in a desperate state, as Sunday may very well be their last chance to save their season. A win sends them into the international break with confidence (and silverware). The Champions League may be lost, but the PL and FA Cup are still in play. Beating the Gunners surely gives them the belief that they can overtake them in the league, and that motivation is one that they will undoubtedly attempt to harness.
Injuries & Suspensions
The Gunners injured list remains the same following their victory over Leverkusen. Mikel Merino remains out for essentially the season, and Martin Ødegaard has been pushing for a return but remains out. Arteta has mentioned that the captain may be healthy for the cup final, but considering the break coming up, it may be in the skipper’s best interests to continue his rehab in London.
Arteta was understandably cryptic about the availability of Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber, who missed Tuesday’s match after coming off with a knock on the weekend. The defender’s availability will be a boost, but the performances of Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera have been solid.
OUT: Mikel Merino (foot), Martin Ødegaard (knee)
DOUBT: Jurrien Timber (knock)
Predicted Lineup
Attack: Madueke, Havertz, Saka
Mikel Arteta has some tough decisions to make for Sunday with a fully healthy attack ahead of the final.
Noni Madueke was an unused sub against Leverkusen on Tuesday. I’m inclined to think that Arteta was keeping him fresh for the final. Noni has been growing in confidence and influence, and he is the most direct threat in the attack. It isn’t a stretch to think he would relish the chance to run at City’s back line. Leandro Trossard is a big possibility as well, but he has not found the net in several months, though he came close a few times on Tuesday.
Kai Havertz got the start last weekend against Everton before coming on as a sub against Leverkusen. While Viktor Gyökeres was a menace on Tuesday, Kai’s experience playing against City cannot be overlooked. Giving Kai 60 minutes or so before unleashing Viktor for the final stretch makes sense.
Bukayo Saka bounced back from a first leg stinker in the CL to put in a much more solid shift on Tuesday. His corner delivery alone makes him a major threat, and he lives for the big matches.
Midfield: Rice, Zubimendi, Eze
What a performance from the midfield on Tuesday. Arteta’s current preferred three were outstanding, ultimately deciding the match. Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze scored two incredible goals to put the tie to bed, but those goals were just a small portion of their respective performances. It has started to click for Eze after a slow start with the Gunners, and he has been playing up to his transfer fee the last month, capped off with a rocket for the opener on Tuesday.
As the fans love to chant, Declan Rice, we got him half price. The midfielder was sensational and at his do-it-all best and iced the match with a second half daisy cutter. Fatigue has had him off the boil for stretches of the season, but that was not the case in the slightest last match.
I’ve been moderately critical of Martin Zubimendi – not for any issue with his ability. He is class, no doubt. He has logged the most distance in the league this season and most minutes for Arsenal’s squad, and it has been noticeable. His performance against Leverkusen was much better, playing as calm and controlled as you could have asked for.
Defense: Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber
Arsenal’s defense have returned to their rock solid form in their past two matches with back-to-back clean sheets.
Left back is a coin toss between Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie. If Jurrien Timber is fit for the right, I think Cala starts. His attacking contributions are immense, but his defensive capabilities have greatly improved. His fitness remains the main question mark after returning from a lengthy injury.
Gabriel and William Saliba in the middle of the defense are, simply put, the best CB pairing in the world. They will need to be on their game against Haaland and Semenyo.
The right is another question mark. If Jurrien Timber is fit, he plays. He’s simply too good. But if he hasn’t recovered from his knock, I think it’s a question of if Ben White has enough in his legs after a start midweek. He or Mosquera are more than adept understudies, with White edging out Mosquera based on his experience.
Keeper: Kepa
While no one would be bothered if Raya got the start, I think that Kepa has earned it and has more than enough to help shore up the back against City. Considering Pep confirming that Trafford will start in goal for the Cityzens, I suspect Arteta will start Kepa in kind.
After taking care of business against Everton and Leverkusen this week, Sunday is a chance to enter the break with a proper bang. Trophies have eluded this side for far too many seasons. The players are undoubtedly eager to break that drought and prove to themselves, fans, and the rest of the footballing world that they are the real deal. City will not give up without a fight, but if this side approaches the match like they have all of the others, they could enter the break as cup winners.
WHO: Arsenal vs Manchester City
WHAT: The Carabao Cup final
WHEN: Sunday, March 22nd, 12:30pm EST/9:30am PST/4:30pm GMT
WHERE: Wembley Stadium, London
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on the Paramount+ app
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