Arsenal gear up for a pivotal Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, eyeing their first trophy of a potential quadruple chase. The Gunners enter as slight favorites after holding City at bay in the Premier League title race. Victory would secure their first League Cup since 1993 and mark just the second major honor under Mikel Arteta, following the FA Cup nearly six years back.
Manchester City’s Strong Legacy
Manchester City seek their first major silverware since 2024. Their dominance shines through with six League Cup wins since 2014, including four straight from 2018 to 2021. They boast an impressive eight victories in nine League Cup finals.
Arsenal draw confidence from their unbeaten streak in the last six encounters against City across all competitions.
Key Arsenal Players in Doubt
Arsenal face potential absences of three vital players—Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber, and captain Martin Odegaard—for Sunday’s Wembley clash. None participated in Friday’s training, sparking fitness worries.
Arteta stays optimistic yet guarded. “We have another session [on Saturday], so let’s see if they make it,” the manager stated.
Odegaard battles recurring injuries, logging only 58 minutes since late January due to a knee issue. Eze misses out precautionarily after a demanding schedule, while Timber exited injured during last week’s 2-0 triumph over Everton and skipped the midweek Champions League win against Bayer Leverkusen. The defender now races to recover in time.
Manchester City’s Absences
City also contend with missing stars. Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined from an ankle injury since January, with a return eyed for April. Marc Guehi sits out after his January transfer from Crystal Palace arrived too late for registration under EFL rules, which require it before the semi-final first leg despite allowances for dual-club play this season.
Teen Prodigy Max Dowman Steps Up
With Odegaard and Eze questionable, Arteta turns to 16-year-old midfielder Max Dowman as a midfield alternative. Dowman made history last weekend as the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
Premier League rules mandate separate changing facilities for under-18s, barring Dowman—who turned 16 on New Year’s Eve—from joining senior teammates post-match. EFL guidelines differ, advising clubs to consult parents or guardians. Wembley offers separate options, leaving the choice to the club, player, and family.
