For Mikel Arteta, a manager defined by progress but measured by silverware, Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City represents a pivotal moment in his Arsenal project. The Gunners arrive at Wembley seeking to end a six-year trophy drought, a period that stands in stark contrast to the relentless success of their opponents and the high standards Arteta himself has instilled.
The Spaniard’s sole major honour as Arsenal manager remains the 2020 FA Cup, secured in an empty stadium against Chelsea. That victory, sealed by a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace, made Arteta the first person to both captain and manage the club to an FA Cup title. While he has since lifted two FA Community Shields, the wait for another significant trophy has now stretched to nearly four years—a fact Arteta has admitted has been “difficult to accept” but which he says fuels a greater drive to win.
Standing in his way is his greatest managerial rival and former mentor, Pep Guardiola. The Manchester City boss is the most decorated coach in League Cup history, having overseen four of the club’s eight triumphs in the competition. A victory today would secure a third consecutive Carabao Cup for City and a fifth in seven years, moving them to within one title of Liverpool’s all-time record of ten.
Historical Weight and Personal Records
The historical ledger heavily favours the holders. Manchester City’s dominance of this competition in recent years is clear, including a run of three consecutive wins culminating in the 2020 final against Aston Villa. Arsenal, by contrast, last won the League Cup in 1993 and have lost in three subsequent finals, most recently in 2018.
Yet Arteta carries a potent personal omen to Wembley. He boasts a perfect record of eight wins from eight matches at the national stadium as both an Arsenal player and manager. This formidable streak includes the 2020 FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City, the final win against Chelsea that same year, and Community Shield successes against Liverpool and, last summer, Manchester City.
Despite this, the Arsenal manager has dismissed any notion of favourites, insisting his team must earn that status on the pitch. His overall managerial record commands respect, however. Arteta recently notched his 200th win in charge of Arsenal in just 326 games, giving him a win rate of 61.4%—the best of any manager in the club’s history.
A Clash of Ambitions
The final arrives with contrasting recent narratives for each side. Manchester City’s pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple was ended by Real Madrid in the Champions League midweek, potentially intensifying their focus on securing domestic silverware. For Arsenal, the match is a clear-cut opportunity to validate their development under Arteta and finally break the trophy barrier that has persisted since that 2020 FA Cup win.
On the tactical front, a key decision rests with Arteta over his starting goalkeeper. While David Raya has been his established number one in the Premier League, Kepa Arrizabalaga has featured in domestic cup competitions this season. The manager has offered no indication of his choice for the final.
Off the pitch, authorities have taken steps to ensure security at Wembley, with the UK government introducing a new law specifically banning ‘tailgating’ at the stadium following the disorder at the Euro 2020 final.
How to Follow the Final
For viewers in the UK, the Carabao Cup final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 3.30pm GMT on Sky Sports Football and from 4.15pm on Sky Sports Main Event. Subscribers can also stream the action via the Sky Go app.
In a move that offers broader access, the match will also be shown live and free-to-air on ITV1, with their coverage also starting at 3.30pm. A free live stream will be available on the ITVX website and app.
Internationally, the match will be shown on Paramount+ in the United States, beIN Sports in Australia, and DAZN in Canada, among other broadcasters.
For live text coverage and expert analysis from Wembley Stadium, Standard Sport’s live blog will be running throughout matchday, with insight from our reporter Matt Verri.
