Arsenal vs Man City: Preview, Team News, Score Prediction as Arteta and Guardiola Eye First Trophy of the Season

The EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) trophy is up for grabs this Sunday as Arsenal and Manchester City prepare to clash at Wembley Stadium in a highly anticipated final.

The match is a historic first for the competition, pitting the Premier League's top two teams against each other for the coveted prize.

For Arsenal, a victory would end a three-decade-long wait for a League Cup title, a trophy they last lifted in 1993—before any of their current squad members were born. In stark contrast, Manchester City are aiming for their first major silverware since their 2023-24 Premier League triumph.

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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are chasing a potential quadruple, and the EFL Cup represents the first opportunity to turn ambition into reality. The Gunners have a troubled history in this competition, holding the unfortunate record for the most final defeats with six, including a 2018 loss to this weekend's opponents.

Their journey to Wembley saw them overcome Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, and a dramatic semi-final against Chelsea, where a late Kai Havertz goal secured their spot. This marks Arteta's second major final as Arsenal manager, following his 2019-20 FA Cup win. The Spaniard boasts an impressive personal record at Wembley, remaining unbeaten in eight appearances as both a player and manager for the club.

Arsenal enter the final in formidable form, riding a 14-game unbeaten streak. Their momentum was further bolstered by a comfortable 2-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last-16, marking their sixth victory in their last seven matches across all competitions.

Manchester City, meanwhile, saw their own quadruple hopes dashed after a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola's side has struggled for consistency recently, managing just one win in their last five games. With an FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool on the horizon, the EFL Cup offers a chance to salvage what has been a turbulent season.

While Arsenal hold a commanding nine-point lead in the Premier League, City's legacy in the League Cup is undeniable. They have won eight of their nine finals, including their last seven consecutively. A victory on Sunday would make Guardiola the first manager to win the competition five times.

However, recent head-to-head encounters favour the Gunners. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six meetings with City, a streak they will be desperate to extend to a heavenly seventh at Wembley.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped about the fitness of Jurrien Timber (ankle) and captain Martin Odegaard (knee), adopting his usual "wait and see" stance. While Mikel Merino is confirmed to be out with a foot injury, Eberechi Eze is expected to be available after playing down a knock sustained against Leverkusen.

A key decision for Arteta will be in goal. While he did not confirm his choice, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been a reliable number two and is expected to start at Wembley, seven years after his infamous cup final incident with former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri.

In contrast, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was more forthcoming, confirming that James Trafford will start in goal for the final, replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola faces a couple of key selection decisions ahead of the showdown with Arsenal. The eight-time winners will be without defender Josko Gvardiol, who is sidelined with a calf injury.

Additionally, January signing Marc Guehi is ineligible for the match. While the former Crystal Palace player was only a substitute in the recent Champions League loss to Real Madrid, his absence could prompt a defensive reshuffle. John Stones is a likely candidate to come into the backline, potentially replacing Abdukodir Khusanov.

The match will kick off at 7.30pm Kenyan time. It will be live on SuperSport TV.

Arsenal possible XI: Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres

Manchester City possible XI: Trafford; Nunes, Dias, Stones, Ait-Nouri; Silva, Rodri, O'Reilly; Cherki, Haaland, Semenyo

Recent encounters between Arsenal and Manchester City have often been tight, tactical battles rather than high-scoring thrillers, as managers Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola engage in a tense chess match. This weekend's EFL Cup final is unlikely to be an exception, despite the high stakes for both clubs.