The Premier League title race has been put on hold for a day as Arsenal and Manchester City head to Wembley Stadium for the League Cup final. It will be the first piece of silverware on offer for both sides as Mikel Arteta looks to end his wait for a trophy in what will be Arsenal’s first cup final in six years. The Gunners are enjoying a great season and eyeing a historic quadruple.
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PREMIER LEAGUE: FULL INFORMATION
They already have a nine-point lead over City, having played an extra game in the Premier League. They are also considered one of the favorites to win the UEFA Champions League title. But one team that has always chased Artet and his men down is City.
It has not been an ideal season for Pep Guardiola and his men. In fact, it is far from it.
City are out of the Champions League recently in the round of 16 and performances have been inconsistent throughout the season. But Guardiola’s men have shown time and time again that they can step in and deliver the killer blow when needed, especially in the final.
The winner of Sunday’s contest is expected to gain an advantage in the final part of the season, where the two teams will meet again.
WHAT DID ARTETA AND GUARDIOLA SAY BEFORE THE FINAL?
Arteta sees the League Cup final as an important moment in Arsenal’s season as they look to end their title drought and gain an advantage in the Premier League title race.
“Of course, the will to win has always been there and that doesn’t change if I win one, two, three or five (trophies),” Arteta said.
“But yes, it was hard to accept because I want to win every competition I enter.
“When you’re in that position and you’ve gone years without winning a trophy, of course it adds more urgency, but also more drive because you really want it.
“And that’s something that we have. That’s something that’s really important to us and something that we’ve been trying to achieve for a while and now we have the opportunity to do it.”
“But in sports you also have to understand that sometimes other players and other teams are better than you and what you have to do is to be able to look in the mirror and give it your all and be better than them and that’s what we’re chasing.”
Guardiola won his first League Cup title in 2018 against Arsenal and interestingly, Arteta was his assistant at the time. The Spaniard said it was a special moment for him that he will try to repeat this time.
“Yeah it was. Maybe not for Mikel because it was Arsenal, but definitely for me. No, for him too.”
“We worked hard with the players on many things.
“It’s hard to understand a lot of things about the Premier League, we spend a lot of time and energy in good times and bad and of course to start breaking that routine and win the first title in a short time, the second season was really good and then a lot of good things came.”
LEAGUE CUP FINAL: TEAM NEWS
In typical Mikel Arteta style, the Arsenal boss was tight-lipped about team news ahead of the EFL Cup final, offering “wait and see” updates on both Jurrien Timber (ankle) and captain Martin Odegaard (knee). Mikel Merino is ruled out, while Eberechi Eze should be fit despite a minor scare against Leverkusen.
Arteta also refused to confirm his goalkeeper, although Kepa Arrizabalaga could be given the nod for David Raya after solid displays, which could mean a return to Wembley seven years after his infamous moment under Maurizio Sarri.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start in goal for Manchester City ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma. Josko Guardiol remains their only injury concern, while January signing Marco Guhi is ineligible.
Guardiola can still tweak his defence, John Stones has the option to replace Abdukodir Khusanov. Bernardo Silva’s recent red card has no bearing on the final, where Erling Haaland will be chasing his first goal at Wembley.
LEAGUE CUP FINAL: WHEN TO WATCH MANCHESTER CITY VS ARSENAL?
The 2025-2026 EFL Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester City is scheduled to begin on Sunday, March 22 at 10:00 PM IST.
LEAGUE CUP FINAL: WHERE TO WATCH MANCHESTER CITY VS ARSENAL LIVE IN INDIA?
In India, fans can watch the 2025-2026 EFL Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester City via live streaming on the FanCode app and website. The match will not be televised in the country.
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Published on:
March 22, 2026 12:28 PM IST
