Arsenal vs Manchester City: Carabao Cup Final previewGuardiola confirms that James Trafford will start in goal at Wembley
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Competition: Carabao Cup Final
Date: 4.30pm, Sunday 22nd March 2026
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Referee: Peter Bankes Assistants: N Davies, S Meredith Fourth Official: T Bramall VAR: J Brooks
Odds: Arsenal 13/10, Draw 11/5, City 21/10
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Arsenal
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Squad (from): Raya, Arizzabalaga, Setford, Saliba, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Gabriel, Timber, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Eze, Norgaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Dowman, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Trossard, Madueke, Havertz
Injured: Merino
Doubtful: Odegaard, Timber
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWDWW
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Donnarumma, Trafford, Bettinelli, Dias, Stones, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Khusanov, Alleyne, Lewis, Reijnders, Kovacic, Cherki, Gonzalez, Rodri, Silva, Nunes, O'Reilly, Foden, Marmoush, Haaland, Doku, Savinho, Semenyo
Injured: Gvardiol
Doubtful: Kovacic
Suspended: None
Ineligible: Guehi (cup-tied)
Form guide: LDLWD
James Trafford will start in goal for the Carabao Cup Final, Pep Guardiola has confirmed. The young keeper has played in each of the previous rounds, but has been linked with a move away from The Etihad in the summer asfter seeing his chances restricted by the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined through injury, whilst Marc Guehi is ineligibale havig signed from Crystal Palace after the semi-final first leg.
City were knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid midweek, but the final provides the perfect platform for the Blues to win yet more silverware under Guardiola.
“We have got to Wembley 22 times in 10 years, it’s an honour and a big challenge,” he said at Friday's press conference.
“For the team it’s a big moment.
“[When] we reach the final, no matter the competition, it’s always tough.
“We see the level in Europe, other leagues and any competition.
“To be there we have to see it as a big opportunity because we never know when it will happen again.”
City drew their last game with Arsenal 1-1, with Erling Haaland netting for the Blues. Overall City have won 52 of the 183 games played against the Gunners, with 44 draws and 87 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Silva, Rjeinders, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
Score prediction: Arsenal 2 City 1
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