Arsenal vs. Man City Carabao Cup final prediction, start time, how to watch

Wembley Stadium will stage the 2025-26 Carabao Cup final on Sunday as Arsenal and Manchester City meet for the first piece of domestic silverware of the season.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal booked their place under the arch the hard way, surviving a penalty shoot-out against Crystal Palace and requiring a 96th-minute Kai Havertz strike in the second leg of the semi-final versus Chelsea to secure passage. The Gunners, two-time winners of this competition but without a triumph in it since the 1992-93 campaign, enter the match top of the Premier League and still chasing honours on three other fronts.

Pep Guardiola’s City, eight-time Carabao Cup champions, arrive at Wembley on the rebound from a mid-week Champions League elimination by Real Madrid. Their path to the final included a 5-1 aggregate demolition of holder Newcastle in the semi-finals and earlier victories over Huddersfield, Swansea and Brentford. Guardiola has lifted the trophy in four of his nine seasons in Manchester and will regard this final as essential to keep the club’s pursuit of silverware on track.

The clubs drew 1-1 when they met at the Emirates in September and have traded dramatic, high-stakes encounters throughout the past four years, setting the stage for a showdown that odds-makers rate as virtually a coin-flip. Arsenal’s league form and formidable home record give them a fractional edge, while City’s extensive Wembley experience and Guardiola’s cup nous ensure the matchup is among the most evenly balanced finals in recent memory.

Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday at Wembley Stadium. Broadcast details and streaming options will be confirmed by the rights holders closer to match-day.