Manchester City have been dealt an injury blow hours before their Carabao Cup final against Arsenal as defender Ruben Dias is set to miss out. The Portugal international is a key player for the Cityzens but has struggled with fitness problems this season.
Pep Guardiola's side head into the first major final in the 2025-26 English football season on the back of a three-game winless run. Their task has been made more difficult by the injury to Dias, whose absence has been confirmed by a report from Sky Sports.
Ruben Dias has reportedly suffered a hamstring injury after featuring in the first half of the 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in mid-week. The Portuguese defender has struggled with hamstring problems since the turn of the year and was forced to miss eight games at the start of 2026 due to a hamstring injury.
Manchester City will be without the 28-year-old, who has yet to appear in any domestic cup competition this season, against Arsenal. He may be expected to spend a few weeks on the sidelines, depending on the extent of his hamstring injury.
The Cityzens dealt with the absence of Dias in January by sanctioning a deal to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, while also recalling Max Alleyne from his loan spell at Watford. England international Guehi is ineligible to feature in the final due to his being cup-tied in the Carabao Cup this season.
Arsenal will be pleased with the news of Dias' absence, as it will likely give them a psychological edge over their opponents. Manchester City will have to find a way to win without the influential defender, as they look for a first trophy since 2024.
Pundit tips Arsenal to overcome Manchester City in Carabao Cup
Gary Neville has tipped Arsenal to emerge as this year's Carabao Cup winners at the expense of rivals Manchester City. The English giants are set to lock horns in an encounter that will pit Pep Guardiola against his apprentice Mikel Arteta for the first time in a final.
Neville told Sky Sports that he thinks that the Gunners will have an edge over their rivals in the game. He remained wary of the quality possessed by Guardiola and his team, stating that they cannot be written off.
"I think Arsenal have the edge... but NEVER write Pep Guardiola off", he said.
Arteta's side are nine points clear of the Cityzens at the summit of the Premier League standings with seven games left to play. Both sides will meet each other once more after Wembley in their title run-in, as they look to win silverware this season.