The predicted Arsenal team to start against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final
07:00, 22 Mar 2026
Kai Havertz could be in line to start for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City
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Kai Havertz could be in line to start for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal play Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday afternoon at Wembley Stadium. The Gunners will be looking to win their first major piece of silverware since 2020, when Mikel Arteta picked up his first trophy during his first season in charge.
Arteta’s side has been on a journey since then, with the entire project aiming to turn the club into a multiple-trophy-winning side. However, despite coming extremely close in the Premier League, this is the first cup final since that previous victory during the pandemic.
This means, of course, that it is the first time Arsenal supporters have been allowed into a stadium for a final for quite some time, creating a different environment entirely. There are some questions over some players in the squad which Arteta will be hoping are available.
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Here is who football.london predicts will start:
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Despite many thinking that David Raya will start the final, his deputy has started every single League Cup game up until the final and therefore is tipped to begin the clash too.
Jurrien Timber
After some injury concerns in midweek, there are still questions over the Dutchman’s readiness, but if fit, he will start.
William Saliba
A chance for a first major trophy for Saliba, like much of the Gunners squad, and an opportunity to showcase his qualities against a major opponent once again.
Gabriel
After becoming Mikel Arteta’s first major investment in 2020, Gabriel now has the opportunity to win his first major trophy, but he will have to beat his old rival, Erling Haaland.
Piero Hincapie
It might have been thought that Riccardo Calafiori would be the best player to start the final, but the Ecuadorian has been so good in recent weeks that he has established himself as the starting left-back.
Martin Zubimendi
This is the reason the Spaniard decided to join Arsenal: to win trophies and reach a new level, but a performance in the final will be vital for the Gunners to lift the silverware in the end.
Declan Rice
The record signing picking up a trophy nearly three years after his arrival might not have been the plan, but it was always seemingly inevitable – and he might get multiple this season.
Eberechi Eze
The March-to-May period is known as the Eberechi Eze time of year, which could not come at a better time for the Gunners, and after his strike against Bayer Leverkusen, big things are expected.
Bukayo Saka
Despite not hitting the heights that we’ve come to expect from the winger in terms of output, he is the only player in the team who was in the squad for Arteta’s FA Cup final victory in 2020.
Kai Havertz
It means dropping the marquee signing of the summer in Viktor Gyokeres, but the Gunners just look better with the German in the side at the moment.
Leandro Trossard
Arteta has options here with either Noni Madueke or Gabriel Martinelli, too, but there is no doubt the best option on the left this season has been Leandro Trossard.
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