Arsenal are just a few matches away from European triumph, having breezed past Bayer Leverkusen to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. With a semi-final spot on offer against Sporting CP and a nine-point lead in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta has a challenging few weeks ahead. Yet, attention will soon shift back to another tournament as the Gunners prepare for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
The two leading teams in England will clash at Wembley Stadium this weekend in a quest for the season's first piece of silverware. City were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday by Real Madrid, losing 5-1 on aggregate. The title race rivals will dust themselves off and brace for a tough battle against Arteta's squad - a challenge the Spaniard is eagerly anticipating. Express Sport rounds up the latest Arsenal news...
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Rice names new dressing room leader
Declan Rice has underscored the significance of David Raya in the dressing room following his outstanding display in Europe on Tuesday. The midfield dynamo was hugely influential against Bayer Leverkusen, earning the man of the match accolade for his performance.
Rather than basking in the praise, the England international singled out his goalkeeper as one of Arsenal's key leaders. During a chat with Gunners legend Thierry Henry on CBS Sports, Rice stated: "Yeah, he deserves every bit of credit that he's getting.
"I wish people could come in and see every day how he trains because the intensity that he trains at and the level that he trains at, there's literally no reason why he's not doing what he's doing on the pitch.
"It's incredible. To see him every day, the effort and how he is with the lads, he's turned into a real leader for us and when you've got a 'keeper like that, I think it gives everyone confidence. So, yeah, he's incredible."
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Gabriel of Arsenal speaks to team mate Declan Rice during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of
Declan Rice has hailed team-mate David Raya as a dressing room leader (Image: Getty Images)
Potential Carabao Cup final axe
Despite Raya's elevated status within the Arsenal team, Kepa Arrizabalaga believes he is edging his colleague to the starting position for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against City. The 31-year-old has served as back-up goalkeeper to the Spaniard this season, but has been guarding the goal for the League Cup matches.
Whilst Raya is in exceptional form, Arrizabalaga has been the trusted choice throughout the domestic cup competition and may have given Arteta a selection dilemma. He is confident that the Gunners boss will choose him after outlining how he would handle the pressure at Wembley.
The ex-Chelsea keeper stated: "The atmosphere at Wembley is so special, everything around the game is special – the build-up and everything. You know you are out there playing for a title, and right now in this moment of football, every title is so difficult to get.
"You know you are one game away from being able to lift a trophy. Obviously, it's going to be a tough game, a very difficult game, but we'll go for it. I have played in the League Cup final before, but I have played many finals in my career, I have been lucky in that way."
Suggesting he could be the starting goalkeeper for Arsenal when the match begins, Kepa added: "So I will just approach the game the best way that I can. We will prepare everything in the best way, because at the end the aim is to win. Just focus on the game, focus on us and prepare for the opponent. That's it. I don't think we need to approach anything differently."