Arsenal v Man City LIVE: Carabao Cup final team news as Arteta faces Raya or Kepa decision | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta is yet to decide whether David Raya or Kepa Arrizabalaga will start the Carabao Cup final (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final as Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola’s rival sides compete for the first silverware of the season.

The Premier League title race will be put on pause as Arsenal bid to win their first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup final, and what could also be the first of an unprecedented quadruple of major trophies. The Gunners are also nine points clear of City, while through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League.

Guardiola, meanwhile, will be bidding to win his first silverware since 2024 - having endured a trophyless campaign last year. City will need to recover from their Champions League exit against Real Madrid, but know that beating Arsenal in a Wembley final could act as a physiological blow ahead of the final stretch of the season.

Arsenal v Man City LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup final updates

What is the Man City team news?

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start in goal ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, and there will be at least one enforced change as Marc Guehi is cup-tied. Erling Haaland, Rodri and Ruben Dias were among the players brought off during second half of the midweek defeat to Real Madrid, while Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly will be pushing to return to the starting line-up. Josko Gvardiol remains absent.

Jamie Braidwood22 March 2026 12:40

What is the early Arsenal team news?

Mikel Arteta was keeping his cards close to his chest when he discussed Arsenal’s team news but did not rule Jurrien Timber or Martin Odegaard out of contention. Arteta refused to say whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would keep his place in goal ahead of David Raya; the Arsenal No 2 goalkeeper has started every round of the Carabao Cup this season, including the semi-final win over Chelsea.

Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka appear certain to start, while Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard could also remain from the side that began the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. But Arteta will have to decide whether to go with Riccardo Calafiori or Piero Hincapie left back, as well as whether to stick with Ben White if Timber is available.