As anticipation builds ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, former Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has predicted the winner of the domestic cup.
The two sides, currently setting the pace in the Premier League, meet with silverware on the line and momentum from impressive semi-final performances.
Arsenal booked their place in the final with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea, while Manchester City powered through against Newcastle United with a commanding 5-1 scoreline across two legs.
Agbonlahor believes Arsenal’s defensive resilience could be decisive, particularly in dealing with City’s prolific striker Erling Haaland.
He pointed to the centre-back partnership of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba as key figures capable of limiting Haaland’s impact and helping end Arsenal’s long wait for EFL Cup success.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said: “Arsenal win, Arsenal win, Ally (McCoist), for me. I just think they know how important that game is. I just think when I look at Man City, I just think Gabriel (Magalhaes) and (William) Saliba are going to be so aggressive on (Erling) Haaland, the form that he’s been in.
“And I think it’s going to get spicy on the touchline. I know they’re friends, (Mikel) Arteta and Guardiola, but I think everything’s on the line in this game.”
For Arsenal, Sunday’s final represents more than just another chance at silverware. The north London side have not lifted the EFL Cup since 1993, a drought stretching over three decades.
In contrast, Manchester City have dominated the competition in recent years, winning it eight times, including their most recent triumph in 2021.
Under manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have shown renewed belief and consistency, qualities that have propelled them into title contention domestically and into this final.
Their semi-final victory over Chelsea demonstrated both attacking efficiency and defensive discipline — traits they will need again against a City side known for control and precision.
City, led by Pep Guardiola, arrive with their own pedigree and experience in high-pressure matches. Their comprehensive win over Newcastle United in the last four underlined their attacking depth and ability to dominate over two legs.
With players such as Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland capable of influencing the game, City remain a formidable opponent despite Agbonlahor’s prediction.
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This will be the first meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City in the EFL Cup since their quarter-final clash in December 2020. That encounter saw City assert their dominance after a competitive opening phase.
On that occasion, Gabriel Jesus, then a City player, struck early to give his side the lead, only for Alexandre Lacazette to level the score for Arsenal before half-time.
However, the second half belonged to Guardiola’s side, as Mahrez, Foden and Aymeric Laporte all found the net to seal a convincing victory.
City went on to lift the trophy that season, defeating Manchester United in the semi-finals before overcoming Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the final to secure their eighth League Cup crown.
Sunday’s final, therefore, brings together two teams with contrasting recent histories in the competition but equally strong ambitions. Arsenal are chasing a long-awaited return to League Cup glory, while Manchester City are aiming to reaffirm their dominance.
