Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on Ebere Eze, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard before the Carabao Cup final
16:32, 22 Mar 2026Updated 16:45, 22 Mar 2026
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta has provided an Arsenal injury update(Image: Sky Sports)
Mikel Arteta explained why Ebere Eze, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber were all unavailable for Arsenal’s clash against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. The Gunners were facing City at Wembley Stadium as they looked to win the famous trophy for the first time since 1993.
Arsenal went into the game against City on the back of a win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League in midweek, while City were beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Arteta was handed a major selection blow before kick-off with news that Eze was ruled out for the clash against City with an injury, while Odegaard and Timber were also unavailable for the fixture.
“We tried everything, but unfortunately, him (Eze), Martin (Odegaard), Jurrien (Timber) and Mikel (Merino) are out,” Arteta told Sky Sports before kick-off.
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“They [Odegaard and Timber] couldn't make it, so I think they will still be a couple of weeks," Arteta added. "Let's see after the international break if we have anybody back.”
Arteta made two changes to the Arsenal team that claimed a 2-0 win over Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Viktor Gyokeres replaced the injured Eze to lead the forward line for Arsenal, while Kepa Arrizabalaga was selected to start in goal in place of No.1 shot-stopper David Raya.
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Arsenal were not alone in being forced to deal with injury concerns for the Carabao Cup final, with City also having players ruled out for the showpiece fixture.
Ruben Dias was ruled out of the game hours before kick-off after news emerged that the defender was unavailable with a hamstring injury.
It meant that City were without three key players in their defence for the final against Arsenal, with Josko Gvardiol ruled out with a knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines since January.
January signing Marc Guehi was also unavailable for the fixture due to not being registered as a City player before the semi-finals of the competition began towards the start of the year.
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