And It’s Arsenal

Arsenal vs Manchester City | 22nd March 2026 | EFL Cup Final | Match Preview

Scott
4–7 minutes

🕟 Kick Off: 16:30 GMT

🏟️ Venue: Wembley Stadium

📺 UK Broadcaster: ITV/Sky

🙎🏻‍♂️ Referee: Peter Bankes

📹 VAR: John Brooks

🔴 Arsenal Team News:

  • Martin Ødegaard (Knee): Major doubt. Arteta confirmed he is “really pushing” to be involved. Similar to Timber, Arteta said “Let’s see”.
  • Jurrien Timber (Ankle/Adductor): Unknown. Arteta cagey with his update, saying only “Let’s see if they can make it” His inclusion in the Dutch national squad today offers a glimmer of hope.
  • Mikel Merino (Foot): Ruled out long-term. Continuing his post-surgery rehabilitation; return expected in late April.

⚽ Arsenal Form: 🟩🟩🟧🟩🟩

🛢️ Man City Team News:

  • Marc Guehi: Unavailable (Cup-tied). The January signing cannot play as he represented Crystal Palace earlier in the competition.
  • Josko Gvardiol (Leg): Ruled out. Continuing recovery from a tibial fracture; he is unlikely to play again this season.

⚽ Man City Form: 🟥🟧🟥🟩🟧

⚔️ Head-to-Head:

  • Arsenal 1–1 Man City (Sept 21, 2025, Premier League)
  • Arsenal 5–1 Man City (Feb 2, 2025, Premier League)
  • Man City 2–2 Arsenal (Sept 22, 2024, Premier League)
  • Man City 0–0 Arsenal (Mar 31, 2024, Premier League)
  • Arsenal 1–0 Man City (Oct 8, 2023, Premier League)

📖 Match Facts:

  • Manchester City have failed to win any of their last five competitive meetings against Arsenal (L2, D3).
  • Arsenal have won 4 of their last 5 games at Wembley, with their last loss coming against Man City in the League Cup Final where they lost 3-0.
  • Mikel Arteta has won every time he has represented Arsenal at Wembley as a player and as a manager.

📸 Cup Final Memories…

Mixed memories for Arsenal in the EFL Cup Final, as we haven’t won the trophy in over 30 years. You can read more in my ramblings about our last win, but here are some pictures from the iconic old Wembley Stadium.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Arsenal line up for a group photo as they celebrate with the trophy after the Coca-Cola Football League Cup final between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley Stadium on April 18, 1993 in London, England. Arsenal won 2-1. Back row (left-right): Stewart Houston (assistant manager), Andy Linighan, John Jensen, Paul Merson, David O’Leary, Ray Parlour, Tony Adams, Alan Smith, Gary Lewin (physio) and Ian Wright. Front row: Paul Davis, Nigel Winterburn, David Seaman, Kevin Campbell and Ian Selley. (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
Sport, Football, Coca-Cola Cup Final, Wembley, 18th April 1993, Arsenal 2 v Sheffield Wednesday 1, Arsenal’s Kevin Campbell holds the trophy aloft (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Steve Morrow of Arsenal (centre) scores past Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Woods (on the floor) during the Coca-Cola League Cup Final between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley Stadium on April 18, 1993 in London, England. Arsenal won 2-1. (Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Our last appearance in the EFL Cup Final was in the 17/18 season against Man City, which we lost 0-3. This would be Wengers last Cup Final as Arsenal manager, as the Frenchman would announce his departure from his position later that April.

Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) vies with Manchester City’s Argentinian defender Nicolas Otamendi during the English League Cup final football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Wembley stadium in north London on February 25, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger shakes hands with Man City manager Pep Guardiola during the Carabao Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Arsenal fans wave flags before the match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

✍🏼 Pre-Match Ramblings

This Sunday, Arsenal will play in their first cup final since the 2020 FA Cup victory during Covid over Frank Lampards Chelsea. In that game, we went 1-0 down inside the first 5 minutes, but an Aubameyang brace saw us win a record 14th FA Cup. You have to go back over 30 years to see us lift the Leage Cup where we beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 with goals from Paul Merson and Steve Morrow.

Historical subtext aside, it’s hard to gauge the importance of this fixture. On the one hand, it’s a cup final against Manchester City at Wembley stadium. On the other hand, we sit top of the Premier League table and we comfortably progressed into the last 8 of the Champions League, with a very favourable draw ahead of us. Of the four competitions we are still in, there isn’t a single Arsenal fan that would disagree with this being the least important. However, a cup final is a cup final, and trophies have eluded us for half decade, so we should be treating this as if it were a Champions League final, especially given that what follows is a two week international break.

The lineup here is a tricky one, and it starts between the net. Kepa has been the keeper in this competition, and hasn’t really put a foot wrong (that I can remember). But Raya is our number 1, and has been in excellent form recently, making eyecatching saves. I really couldn’t say which way I think Arteta will go, and I’m not sure it matters too much. Both goalkeepers are excellent, and I don’t think this game will be won by a goalkeeper (especially because James Trafford is starting for City). There are other headaches at left back and right back with Timber edging for fitness, and Calafiori and Hincapie both in good form. The left wing has changed very frequently this season, and there is now choice up front with Havertz back.

City come into this game in poor form. They were brushed aside by Real Madrid in the Champions League, and are off the back of 2 consecutive draws against relegation contenders in West Ham and Forest in the league. Even their game against Leeds was a tetchy 0-1 win that could’ve easily been a draw. One could see this both ways: a City with their tails between their legs, struggling to find form and results, or a City with a fire under their arses desperate not to go trophyless for a second consecutive season. You never know which City you’re going to face this season, but I expect them to be up for this. Pep especially will want to get one over his protige, who he has not been able to beat since April 2023.

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