Manchester City face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Guardiola has confirmed James Trafford will play in goal ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma at Wembley.
Trafford has played in every round of the competition so far and Guardiola has kept faith with him.
Asked if Trafford will play, Guardiola said in his press conference on Friday: “Yes. It’s a [big moment] for the team. Players have to be ready.”
James Trafford will start at Wembley
Guardiola faces some other big decisions as City prepare to take on Arsenal.
Marc Guehi is ineligible after joining City after the January cut-off point to play for them in the Carabao Cup, so Guardiola must choose between John Stones or Abdukodir Khusanov to play alongside Ruben Dias in central defence.
Stones has just been recalled to the England squad after his injury problems, while Khusanov did well in the midweek Champions League defeat against Real Madrid.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Nunes look set to start at full back, allowing Nico O'Reilly to play in midfield.
Bernardo Silva and Rodri are both likely to start, despite questions over their form in recent weeks.
Guardiola has confirmed Erling Haaland is “ready” to start after his early substitution against Real Madrid in midweek.
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The key remaining questions surround Guardiola’s choice of attacking support for the Norwegian, who will renew his rivalry with Arsenal centre-backs Gabriel and William Saliba.
Guardiola could favour Rayan Cherki's creativity and Jeremy Doku's directness against an robust Arsenal defence, though that would mean leaving Antoine Semenyo on the bench if O'Reilly starts.
Phil Foden has struggled for game-time recently and may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Predicted Man City XI: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri; O’Reilly, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland
Injured: Gvardiol
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date and time: 4.30pm GMT on Sunday, March 22, 2026
How to watch: Sky Sports and ITV