The first piece of silverware of the season is up for grabs, but who will come out on top? Prepare for the Carabao Cup final with our ultimate preview.
Scroll down for our interactive countdown as Arsenal take on Manchester City at Wembley by taking in the best stats, playing our quiz, hearing the views of the men that matter, and having your say on the big battles…
Who will win?
Simple: who will be lifting the pot on Sunday evening? Arsenal are without a League Cup win since 1993; Premier League leaders Man City won this competition two years back. You decide…
Where to watch
We will be starting coverage on Sky Sports Football at 3.30pm, with Jamie Redknapp, Thierry Henry, Gary Neville and Craig Bellamy all on board at Wembley.
There will be a special Sunday Supplement (8.30am) and Goals on Sunday (10am) broadcast from Wembley, and we’ll also be covering the game in-depth on SkySports.com, with our dedicated live blog kicking off early, as well as all the goals as they go in…
Arsenal vs Man City
February 25, 2018, 3:30pm
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Match preview
Aaron Ramsey is winning his battle to be fit for the final with Mesut Ozil also expected to feature, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be cup-tied.
Raheem Sterling is doubtful but Gabriel Jesus (knee) could come into contention after almost two months out. Claudio Bravo will continue in goal as he has done in all domestic cup games this season.
Head here for the full preview.
The managers
Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola gave their thoughts to the media ahead of the big game. Hit play on the videos below to watch…
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says his players are determined to learn from their defeat to Wigan when they face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final
Rank the squads
For the past week we’ve asked you, our SkySports.com readers, to rank the entire squads in each position.
And here is how you rated the goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers…
Quiz: Carabao Cup Final
You might be well versed with Man City and Arsenal’s respective roads to Wembley this year, but how will your knowledge of the competition’s various finals involving these teams stand up when put to test in our quiz? There’s only one way to find out…
The Sunday Supplement from Wembley
February 25, 2018, 8:30am
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Wilshere’s unfinished business
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere says he has unfinished business ahead of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
Read the midfielder’s interview had to say here
‘Carabao Cup crucial for Wenger’
Charlie Nicholas believes the Carabao Cup final is crucial to Arsene Wenger’s continued reign as Arsenal manager.
Read what the Sky Sports pundit and former Gunners striker has had to say about the Frenchman here
Goals on Sunday from Wembley
February 25, 2018, 10:00am
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Toure: City look unstoppable
Kolo Toure – who has played for both sides in his career – is backing Manchester City to beat Arsenal in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final…
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‘Wenger is holding Arsenal back’
Matthew Syed told The Debate that Arsene Wenger is “holding Arsenal back” after failing to re-invent himself and his club in recent years.
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Pick your Man City XI
Who should Pep Guardiola start against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final? Use our interactive team selector tool here to choose your formation and pick your team.
Pick your Arsenal XI
Who should Arsene Wenger start against Man City in the Carabao Cup final? Use our interactive team selector here tool below to choose your formation and pick your team.
The road to Wembley
The two sides have battled their way to the season’s first major cup final at Wembley.
It wasn’t particularly easy, and here’s how they did it…
We look at Manchester City and Arsenal's journey to Wembley
Martin Tyler’s stats special
From Pep Guardiola’s cup final pedigree to the penalty records of both Arsenal and Manchester City, the voice of football Tyler has the best stats ahead of Sunday’s final.
Hit the video to see his latest tricky teaser, and read his full stats column HERE
Martin Tyler brings you his latest teaser ahead of the Carabao Cup final
Welbeck’s missed opportunity
Is Danny Welbeck running out of opportunities to impress at Arsenal? Nick Wright discuses after the forward struggled again against Ostersunds in the Europa League on Thursday night….
Key battle: Ozil v De Bruyne
Two of the most creative players in world football will showcase their abilities at Wembley as the first major piece of silverware is decided on Sunday.
Despite the high-profile reputations of both Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, they have varying experience of major finals.
Sunday will be only the second cup final appearance of De Bruyne’s career, and his second appearance at Wembley. In contrast, Ozil has participated in no less than 10 finals for both club and country, and is set to make his ninth appearance at England’s national stadium.
Check out all the stats and the full verdict HERE … and vote below for your favourite player!
Wenger’s big-game decline
Arsene Wenger’s men have only taken six points from a possible 24 against ‘big-six’ clubs in the Premier League this term – compared with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City who have won 15 points from a possible 18.
It has become a problem for Arsenal and Wenger over recent seasons – but it was not always the case. In his first 10 full seasons at Arsenal, Wenger collected 161 points against teams that finished in the top six in each respective season. But that tally has fallen to 120 during his past 10 terms.
Read the full verdict HERE
VOTE: Favourite League Cup final moments
From Obafemi Martins’ last-gasp winner to Yaya Toure’s wonder goal, we have selected 10 memorable EFL Cup final moments from the past 20 years – and we want you to pick the best one!
Watch and vote below…
From Yaya Toure's stunner to Jose Mourinho shushing Liverpool fans, we look back on some of the greatest League Cup final moments
Exclusive: Walker still feels rivalry
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker says he would love to “get one over” on Arsenal on Sunday, with his Spurs allegiances still as strong as ever when it comes to their north London rivals.
Read the full interview HERE
VOTE: Best Carabao Cup goals of 17/18
Take a look at our pick of 10 of the best goals from the 2017-18 Carabao Cup campaign, featuring Willian, Pablo Hernandez and two stunners from Bristol City’s Joe Bryan.
Watch and vote below…
Take a look at our pick of 10 of the best goals from the 2017/18 Carabao Cup campaign
The catalyst for Pep?
“In the middle of May last year, when Manchester City were nearing the end of a difficult campaign, Pep Guardiola was asked how he reflected on the first trophyless season of his managerial career. “The team played like we did at Barcelona and Bayern, how I always want my teams to play,” he said. “It is more important to me than winning a trophy.”
“Guardiola admitted he would have been sacked for failing to win silverware at either of his previous clubs, but at City, the first season was about laying the right foundations. And while there were times when his determination to do things his way seemed at odds with the players available to him, its benefits have been obvious in his second season.”
Read Nick Wright’s full feature HERE
Redknapp: Nothing to lose for Arsenal
Manchester City are big favourites for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, but Arsenal are at their most dangerous when the odds are against them, says Jamie Redknapp.
Head here to read…
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