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Arsenal and Manchester City meet in a massive showdown at Wembley this afternoon, with the Carabao Cup the prize.<\/strong><\/p>\n The top two in the Premier League battle for the season\u2019s first silverware. For Mikel Arteta, it\u2019s a chance to end Arsenal\u2019s six-year trophy drought and keep quadruple hopes alive; City aim for their sixth title in 11 years.<\/p>\n Ahead of this major clash, we created an Arsenal and Manchester City Combined XI.<\/p>\n Pep Guardiola\u2019s confirmation that James Trafford will start in Manchester City makes this a more straightforward selection than it might have been. Trafford is a terrific young goalkeeper, but Raya has emerged as one of the world\u2019s finest at Arsenal.<\/p>\n There is a chance, of course, that Arteta also sticks with his own number two, Kepa Arrizabalaga, in cup competition. It\u2019s a big decision.<\/p>\n No goalkeeper has more clean sheets than David Raya in Europe\u2019s top 5 leagues this season 🚫🧤<\/p>\n He becomes the first to hit the 15 milestone ✅ pic.twitter.com\/P9ampgPeQF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 LiveScore (@livescore) March 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Arsenal boast the best backline in the Premier League \u2013 if not Europe. Jurrien Timber has been a mainstay of the meanest back four in the division, with the Dutchman dependable at both ends of the pitch.<\/p>\n William Salbia has entered an elite bracket of players who perform with such consistency that their performances now go somewhat overlooked. Gabriel has taken more headlines than Saliba this season, but the Frenchman\u2019s been no less impressive. A Rolls-Royce.<\/p>\n An unmissable presence in both boxes and a big reason why Arsenal have become such a threat at set-pieces. When the big Brazilian is charging towards a delivery, there\u2019s usually only one outcome.<\/p>\n Hincapie nailed down the left-back role at Arsenal despite considerable competition, producing an eye-catching run of form. The Ecuadorian is perhaps the ideal Arteta full-back, combining tenacious defensive work with physical presence.<\/p>\n Piero Hincapi\u00e9 blocked 3 crosses vs Bayer Leverkusen, no player has blocked more in a #UCL<\/a> match this season. ⛔️ pic.twitter.com\/L5ePDU4u2B<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 WhoScored (@WhoScored) March 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Rodri might not have returned to his Ballon d\u2019Or level post-knee injury just yet, but the Spaniard remains the conduit of the Manchester City side. City\u2019s best football flows through him, and Guardiola needs his midfield metronome to shine at Wembley.<\/p>\n Perhaps the leading candidate for the Footballer of the Year awards, should Arsenal get over the line this season.<\/p>\n Rice\u2019s powerhouse performances have been at the centre of Arsenal\u2019s success this season, while he\u2019s evolved into one of the best set-piece takers in the Premier League.<\/p>\n Bukayo Saka has not been at his absolute best this season, but even a below-par campaign for the Arsenal winger is productive. Saka has struck 10 goals and created six more, with the Hale End poster boy likely to have a big role across the run-in.<\/p>\n In an era where clubs spend extraordinary sums on new signings, the arrival of Rayan Cherki for just north of \u00a330m was among the best-value deals in the league.<\/p>\n The Frenchman is a fabulous watch with elite technique, who is closing in on double digits for both goals and assists. We might have only scratched the surface of what Cherki, who doesn\u2019t turn 23 until August, can do.<\/p>\n Antoine Semenyo has hit the ground running at Manchester City after arriving from Bournemouth in January.<\/p>\n The \u00a362.5m deal already looks like value, with Semenyo having scored seven times in 16 games. He\u2019s hit 15 for the season in the Premier League in what has been a true coming-of-age campaign.<\/p>\n Antoine Semenyo is February\u2019s Premier League Player of the Month with three goals and an assist.<\/p>\n He\u2019s made a great start to life at Man City 🏆🩵 pic.twitter.com\/7n2XpS7NRl<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 B\/R Football (@brfootball) March 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Erling Haaland is a shoo-in for almost any Combined XI, even amid a drought by his impossible standards.<\/p>\n Haaland hasn\u2019t hit genuine form since the turn of the year, but still leads the Golden Boot race with 22 goals and has 30 in all competitions. He\u2019s surpassed the 30-goal mark in all four seasons at the Etihad, a priceless contribution.<\/p>\n Read \u2013\u00a0The most memorable League Cup final moments ever<\/strong><\/p>\n See more \u2013\u00a0Arsenal vs Manchester City \u2013 Match preview and team news<\/strong><\/p>\n Facebook | Instagram | Twitter<\/a> | YouTube<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nGoalkeeper: David Raya \u2013 Arsenal<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Right-back: Jurrien Timber \u2013 Arsenal<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Centre-back: William Lintasa \u2013 Arsenal<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Centre-back: Gabriel \u2013 Arsenal<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Left-back: Piero Hincapie \u2013 Arsenal<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Midfield: Rodri \u2013 Manchester City<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Midfield: Declan Rice \u2013 Arsenal<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Right-wing: Bukayo Saka \u2013 Arsenal<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Left-wing: Rayan Cherki \u2013 Manchester City<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Forward: Antoine Semenyo \u2013 Manchester City<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Forward: Erling Haaland \u2013 Manchester City<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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