{"id":1573,"date":"2026-03-21T07:31:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T07:31:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=1573"},"modified":"2026-03-21T07:31:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T07:31:48","slug":"ex-arsenal-and-man-city-star-paul-dickov-makes-bold-carabao-cup-final-prediction-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=1573","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Arsenal and Man City star Paul Dickov makes bold Carabao Cup final prediction | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
Former Manchester City and Arsenal striker Paul Dickov (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paul Dickov believes Arsenal might take their eye off the ball and hand Manchester City the advantage in Sunday\u2019s Carabao Cup final.<\/p>\n

The first piece of silverware of the season will be won on Sunday when\u00a0Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola\u2019s sides meet at Wembley.<\/p>\n

Arsenal\u00a0beat London rivals Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate\u00a0to reach the final, while Man City\u00a0overcame Carabao Cup holders Newcastle United in the semis.<\/p>\n

Guardiola is hoping to become the first manager to win the Carabao Cup on five occasions, but there is plenty on the line for Arsenal, too.<\/p>\n

The Gunners are seeking to end their trophy drought, having not lifted major silverware since the 2020 FA Cup, while they can also keep alive their hopes of a famous quadruple this season.<\/p>\n

Arteta\u2019s side are safely into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League, and hold a nine-point advantage over CIty in the Premier League as well.<\/p>\n

And Dickov, who came through at Arsenal before establishing himself at City, has a suspicion that the Gunners may prioritise their progress in those competitions over Sunday\u2019s final.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
Arsenal beat Chelsea to reach Sunday\u2019s final (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I think it\u2019s going to be one hell of a game,\u2019 Dickov told Metro <\/strong>via Online Casino.<\/em> \u2018I think it\u2019s slightly changed over the last couple of weeks. <\/p>\n

\u2018Maybe two weeks ago, people looked at the cup final as a marker to where the Premier League would sort of finish up, with one team getting one up on the other and getting a bit of advantage for the run-in for the Premier League.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think the Arsenal now being 10 points clear, I would say it\u2019s completely out of their hands now for the Premier League. <\/p>\n

\u2018So going into the game Sunday now, I actually feel that there\u2019s more at stake for City than there is for Arsenal.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Pep Guardiola is looking to win a record fifth Carabao Cup (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dickov continued: \u2018Arsenal possibly have got bigger fish to fry now, looking at the Champions League, getting into the quarter-finals where there\u2019s every chance with the draw that they\u2019ve got that they can go all the way, and obviously being 10 points clear in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

\u2018So I think priority probably lies with Manchester City and Arsenal might not be fully focused, which two weeks ago wouldn\u2019t have saved that, but it just shows you how quickly things can change.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Will everyone forget how \u2018BAD\u2019 Arsenal have been if they win? 🏆 Arsenal women\u2019s legend Alex Scott compares Chelsea WFC\u2019s League Cup final victory to the rest of the Arsenal men\u2019s season with regards to not playing \u2018entertaining football\u2019. She believes that \u2018no one will remember\u2019 if the Gunners have their name engraved on a trophy at the end of the season. Alex Scott is an ESPN presenter for the UEFA Women\u2019s Champions League on Disney+, with all matches, including the quarter-finals ,available live on Disney+ on 24 & 25 March and 1 & 2 April. #alexscott #arsenal #chelsea #leaguecup #championsleague <\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 Metro Sport <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Both sides met earlier in the year in the league, when Gabriel Martinelli\u2019s superb late goal rescued a point for Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.<\/p>\n

Arteta\u2019s side are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions against City, but Dickov thinks Sunday may well prove different.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think there are going to be goals, I really do think so, he added.<\/p>\n

\u2018Sometimes you build up these finals, the big games, and you\u2019re expecting fireworks and it ends up being a ball nil-nil draw and going to penalties. But I can\u2019t see that at all.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think it\u2019s the two best teams in England by a country mile. If you\u2019ve got to push me, I just think the last couple of weeks, what\u2019s happened with City dropping off, I think they might have that a little bit more about them to go on and win it on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019d possibly say it\u2019s more important to them to win on Sunday and get that trophy. Whereas Arsenal, will they have eyes in the Premier League? Will they have eyes in the Champions League going forward? I think that might swing this match in Manchester City\u2019s favour.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: David Raya reveals he was \u2018very close\u2019 to joining Champions League rival ahead of Arsenal<\/span><\/p>\n

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