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Arsenal face Manchester City in the final of the Carabao Cup, with Mikel Arteta’s side looking to clinch their first major trophy since 2020<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n\n
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\nMikel Arteta could be without several key players against Man City(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Arsenal are looking to clinch the first gong of an unprecedented quadruple as they prepare to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. The Gunners head into the tie as narrow favourites, having kept City at an arm’s length for much of the Premier League title race.<\/p>\n
If Arsenal win, it will mark their first League Cup triumph since 1993 and just the second major trophy won during Mikel Arteta’s reign, and the first since lifting the FA Cup nearly six years ago. City, meanwhile, are looking to land their first piece of major silverware since 2024 – and their recent record in the competition will give them plenty of confidence.<\/p>\n
The Citizens have lifted the League Cup a whopping six times since 2014 and even won four on the bounce between 2018 and 2021. They also have a near-perfect record in League Cup finals, winning eight of the nine they’ve competed in.<\/p>\n
But Arsenal will be buoyed by a recent record of their own: they’re undefeated in their last six games against Man City in all competitions. With that in mind, here are the latest Arsenal-related headlines ahead of the 2026 Carabao Cup final.<\/p>\n
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/strong><\/p>\nREAD MORE: Thomas Tuchel names strict condition for Max Dowman to make England’s World Cup squad<\/span><\/span>READ MORE: Arsenal land \u00a360m transfer boost as Champions League advantage clear<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nFive players could miss final<\/h3>\n Arsenal could be without three key players for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Man City, with Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber and captain Martin Odegaard all doubts. The trio did not take part in Friday’s training session, raising concerns about their fitness ahead of the Wembley showdown.<\/p>\n
Arteta refused to rule anyone out of the game, but remained coy about their fitness. “We have another session (on Saturday), so let’s see if they make it,” the Spaniard said.<\/p>\n
Odegaard has missed chunks of the season through various injuries and has played just 58 minutes of football since the end of January due to a knee problem. Eze, meanwhile, has been getting regular football – and his absence on Friday is believed to have been precautionary off the back of a busy period.<\/p>\n
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\nEberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber did not train on Friday(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Timber, however, came off injured midway through the 2-0 win over Everton last week and subsequently sat out Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. The Dutchman is now in a frantic race against time to be fit for the Carabao Cup final.<\/p>\n
Man City will be missing key players too. Josko Gvardiol, who has been out since January with an ankle problem, isn’t expected back until April, while Marc Guehi is also unavailable since he wasn’t registered in time following his January move from Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n
EFL rules were changed this season to allow players to represent two different clubs in a single Carabao Cup campaign. However, the rules stipulate that players must be registered before the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final – with Guehi’s \u00a320million transfer from Selhurst Park being finalised six days too late.<\/p>\n
Dowman solution<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n
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\nMax Dowman scored his first Arsenal goal last weekend(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Although Odegaard and Eze are doubts for the City game, Arteta will have teenage sensation Max Dowman as a fall-back option in midfield. The 16-year-old etched his name into the history books last weekend by becoming the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer – although he wasn’t allowed to celebrate the milestone with his team-mates in the dressing room after the game.<\/p>\n
This is because Premier League rules state that players under the age of 18 must use separate changing facilities to the rest of the squad. This means that Dowman, who turned 16 on New Year’s Eve, must use a different room before and after both matches and training sessions.<\/p>\n
However, EFL rules are different. Instead, clubs are advised to consult with the player’s parents or guardians beforehand to ensure everyone is comfortable with the arrangement.<\/p>\n
Wembley does provide separate facilities should Dowman and his family prefer that option – but ultimately, the decision rests with the club, the player and his family, rather than being enforced by the EFL.<\/p>\n
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