Arsenal battle Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday and football.london's writers have their say on what might happen at Wembley Stadium
12:00, 21 Mar 2026
Erling Haaland of Manchester City shows off the Premier League winners badge on his shirt to Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal
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Erling Haaland of Manchester City shows off the Premier League winners badge on his shirt to Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal (Photo by Tom Jenkins/ Getty Images)
The first domestic final of the 2025/26 season is nearly upon us, with Arsenal taking on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Half of Wembley Stadium will turn red on Sunday, with the other half blue, as Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola go head to head once more. The Gunners, who are still on the hunt for a historic quadruple, are the favourites but City will fancy their chances given they have won the competition five times in the last 10 years.
Arsenal have not won a trophy since the FA Cup in 2020 but winning the Carabao Cup could really give them a boost ahead of what could be a special season. But what will happen when we kick-off at Wembley at 4:30pm on Sunday? football.london's writers have their say, below...
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Sam Truelove
I'm excited for this one. Both sides will be confident of lifting the trophy come Sunday evening and things could even get a little bit spiky. It should make for an entertaining game.
I actually think it could be tighter than what a lot of people think and can see the game going into extra-time. Gabriel Magalhaes is perhaps having his best season since his move to England and I'm backing the Brazilian to get on the scoresheet at Wembley.
Erling Halaand has scored in each of his last three appearances against Arsenal and I can see the big Norwegian extending that run further. It may even come from the penalty spot.
Score prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Ryan Taylor
I struggle to see past Arsenal lifting the trophy at Wembley. They've navigated those tense draws at Brentford and Wolves last month to regain their composure in the Premier League title race.
Since then, they've been churning out results convincingly and I just feel this Sunday will be the match that inspires them to motor onto more silverware this season.
It will be a cagey affair but I still feel Arsenal will hurt City from set-plays, particularly with James Trafford set to start in goal for Pep Guardiola's side.
I fancy Gabriel Magalhaes to get onto the scoresheet, too.
Score predication: Arsenal 2-1 Man City
Kieran King
I am backing Arsenal to end their five-and-a-half year trophy drought and win the Carabao Cup on Sunday. The momentum is with Mikel Arteta's side having won six of their last seven fixtures across all competitions and I have a feeling the Gunners are going to edge it and win at Wembley.
The battle that, for me, is going to decide to the game is in midfield with Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze up against a City midfield three that could include Rodri, Bernardo guehSilva and Nico O'Reilly. I just think Arsenal have the stronger set-up in that area and will be able to control the game from minute one.
I am not dismissing what City have, as there is no doubt they have the quality to go and rip Arsenal apart, but I believe this is the Gunners' time and they are going to win the Carabao Cup. I am going for a narrow 2-1 win, with Gabriel Magalhaes to score the winner after Antoine Semenyo cancelled out Bukayo Saka's opener.
Score prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Man City
Aaron Morris
In a season which Arsenal and Manchester City are embroiled in a two-horse race for the Premier League title, the Carabao Cup final has been made that touch spicier. Arsenal could secure an unprecedented quadruple in 2025/26 if they remain flawless in all competitions from now until May, still also in contention for the Champions League and the FA Cup.
However, with a staggering run of five games to play across 15 days in April, winning everything may be a stretch too far. All things considered, however, I can't look past Arsenal claiming the Carabao Cup come Sunday, taking into account the impeccable run of form that Mikel Arteta has enjoyed across the entirety of the season.
While City have one of the best defences in the league, I believe that Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice will win the midfield battle while Viktor Gyokeres will be back to his best up top.
While Antoine Semenyo will be one of City's most dangerous forces during the clash, and could prove especially problematic with his trickery and pace, my gut feeling is that Arsenal's defence will have no trouble in containing Erling Haaland - a man that Pep Guardiola will undoubtedly expect a stellar performance from.
Score prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Man City
Connor O’Neill
Had we been making predictions when both Arsenal and Manchester City booked their place in the final, then I would have predicted a tight, close game.
However, now the final is here, I think things are very different. For one, City don’t look like the team they used to be.
While Arsenal have been superb in recent weeks. Yes, they might not be great to watch from a flair point of view, but they are winning matches, and that is all that matters.
For me, Arsenal will be simply too strong for Pep Guardiola’s side. City won’t be able to deal with the Gunners’ physical approach.
I only see one winner, and that is Arsenal. And who knows, this could be the first of four trophies the Gunners win this season.
Score prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Man City
Bruna Reis
For a final, you'd expect both teams to arrive in high spirits, and lifting the trophy would provide a huge psychological boost heading into the final stretch of the season. City have become serial winners in recent years, while Arsenal are desperate to end their long‑awaited trophy drought and I'm backing them to finally do it at Wembley.
There will be absolutely no margin for error, any slip could prove costly. But Arsenal have been grinding out results with real authority, and I feel they might just edge it.
Arsenal's defence has also been outstanding this season, and it's hard to imagine them giving Erling Haaland many clear openings. Antoine Semenyo will pose a threat as well, but the Gunners have shown real discipline at the back.
Going forward, I can see Viktor Gyokeres playing a significant role for Arsenal, just as he has done for Sporting Clube de Portugal in their biggest moments. Their hunger looks greater right now, and City hasn't consistently hit the levels we've grown used to seeing from them.
If Arsenal can impose their intensity early and maintain control in the key moments, it could finally translate into the silverware they've been chasing.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-2 Man City
Matt Abbott
Manchester City have an imperious record in League Cup finals, winning all seven of their last finals, including in 2018 against Arsenal, and that is the most recent of three defeats for the Gunners when reaching Wembley Stadium in this competition. City, however, have lost the last two FA Cup finals to Crystal Palace and Manchester United, while Arsenal also won their last final against Chelsea in 2020.
Both clubs could be back at Wembley in May, but before then, only one will win this season's first silverware. A goal or a penalty shootout has decided all but one of the seven finals since City beat the Gunners 3-0 in 2018, and I think it could go all the way again this year.
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Score prediction: Arsenal 0-0 Man City