Manchester City take on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday as both sides chase the first silverware of the season.
Manchester City pair Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki
Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki could both start the Carabao Cup final for Manchester City against Arsenal
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Manchester City face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday in a heavyweight showdown that could have implications on the title race and beyond.
The Gunners have a nine-point advantage over City at the top of the Premier League table but have played a game more and still have to travel to the Etihad. Mikel Arteta's men remain in contention for a quadruple having reached the FA Cup quarter-finals and progressed into the last eight of the Champions League in midweek.
City's European campaign came to an end in midweek when they were beaten 2-1 by Madrid having had Bernardo Silva sent off midway through the first half. The 5-1 aggregate loss was a tough one to swallow but the Blues have the perfect opportunity to respond at Wembley this afternoon.
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Pep Guardiola has plenty of selection decisions to make but James Trafford is set to start in goal having played in every round so far. In defence, Marc Guehi is cup-tied having not signed ahead of the January deadline, so Abdukodir Khusanov - so impressive against Madrid in midweek - could partner Ruben Dias. John Stones, named in the England squad this week, is another option.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Nunes look poised to start at full back, allowing Nico O'Reilly to play in midfield. Rodri and Bernardo Silva have had their doubters in recent weeks but it would be a surprise if Guardiola didn't start both.
That could cost Antoine Semenyo a place in the XI with Rayan Cherki's creativity and Jeremy Doku's directness perhaps the best route through Arsenal's miserly defence. Erling Haaland looked a bit brighter against Madrid having shown signs of fatigue in the past few months and the fact he was replaced on the hour in midweek should settle any debate as to whether the top scorer leads the line.
City predicted XI vs Arsenal: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Bernardo, O'Reilly; Cherki, Doku, Haaland