football.london reporters select their Arsenal starting XIs for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City
07:00, 21 Mar 2026
Kepa Arrizabalaga
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Kepa Arrizabalaga is hoping to keep his place between the sticks for Arsenal
Arsenal are gunning for their first piece of silverware of the season as they prepare to go head-to-head with Premier League title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Mikel Arteta is waiting to learn if captain Martin Odegaard and right-back Jurrien Timber are available, though the Dutchman is seemingly more likely than the playmaker to return to the fold.
Arteta faces a massive call between the sticks as Kepa Arrizabalaga has started all of the club's League Cup matches on the road to Wembley. But there is still a chance David Raya could get the nod.
Here are our football.london reporters' XIs for Sunday's mouthwatering showdown.
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Tom Canton
The big decision is likely the goalkeeper, and for me, in a cup final, you have to pick your best team, and that is why David Raya starts over Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Elsewhere, the reliance is that Jurrien Timber is ready to return to the side and that left me in a predicament.
Practically, the left-back for me to balance things would be Riccardo Calafiori, to pair with the Dutchman, but Piero Hincapie has been in such good form that it simply has to be him for this game.
Then up top Viktor Gyokeres makes way for Kai Havertz who has begun to reclaim the number nine role.
While then on the left, with Leandro Trossard not entirely fit, I would be tempted to throw Noni Madueke onto the left flank for some speed and pace down the sides to get at Matheus Nunes and cause all sorts of problems.Canton’s Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Havertz, Madueke
Kai Havertz
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Tom Canton would like to see Kai Havertz lead the line for Arsenal
Ryan Taylor
There's a few key selections for Mikel Arteta but whatever starting XI he selects, he will have great options from the bench that can really have a big impact upon this game.
Assuming he will be fit, Jurrien Timber has to return at right-back and I'd also go for Piero Hincapie over Riccardo Calafiori at left-back. Hincapie is a warrior that will not give Manchester City's forwards a moment's peace.
Eberechi Eze starts in midfield following his showstopper against Bayer Leverkusen and there are several difficult calls to make in attack.
I'd go with Bukayo Saka on the right, Leandro Trossard on the left and Viktor Gyokeres as the centre-forward. Kai Havertz could easily start at centre-forward and I am torn because I think he'd link the play very well.
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Gyokeres is also a threat from the bench but I just feel the Swede's energy could be key to disrupting City's backline at Wembley. Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke will also be useful impact subs.Taylor's Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
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