Arsenal and Manchester City will meet again in the Carabao Cup final. (Image: Getty)
As Arsenal and Manchester City prepare for the Carabao Cup final, they have a number of dilemmas to choose from with Mikel Arteta and Josep Guardiola respectively. City will be without Marc Guehy, who has caused controversy after qualifying for the cup after his exploits in the competition at Crystal Palace. However, Antoine Semenyo, who also played for Bournemouth in the cup before joining City in January, is available.
The Gunners could be without a number of key players, with Julian Timber and Ebelesi Eze joining Martin Odegaard on the treatment table. The trio did not train on Friday but will undergo a late fitness test to determine their ability to play at Wembley. Here, Express Sport’s writers pick the teams playing on Sunday.
Stick to Kepa or give Raya a twist? That will be the question running through Arteta’s mind before kick-off. This is why Raya should be given the go-ahead, as the risks are simply too great for Arsenal to take. Gökeres has struggled in recent weeks and Hazard should be the first to sign the Swede. Martinelli, on the other hand, started from the off, while Madueke made saves when necessary.
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie. Zubimendi, Rice, Eze. Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
If Kusanov has any energy left after his impressive performance against Real Madrid on Wednesday night, he should be in the starting lineup right away. Cherki has shown that City are the better team with him starting, but there is no place for Doc. Guardiola explained last week that City would not be stable if Haaland, Doku and Cherki start.
Trafford; Nunez, Kusanov, Diaz, Ait Nouri. Rodri, Silva, O’Reilly. Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland
Arteta said before the match that there was not a huge difference in quality between Raya and Kepa, and that it made sense to use the cup keeper. Timber, who has been selected for the Dutch national team, must pass a fitness test to start at right-back. The rest of the defense and midfield are effectively self-selecting. Two of the trickier calls are made by the left winger and center forward. Trossard has started on the left in both of the last two games against City and is rated higher than Martinelli. For me, the reinvigorated Havertz replaces Gokeres at the top thanks to his unparalleled work rate in possession.
Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie. Zubimendi, rice. Saka, Eze, Trossard. Havertz
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There is also a possibility that Viktor Gokeres will be removed and Kai Havertz will be appointed. (Image: Getty)
Trafford, like Kepa, continues to protect goals as a cup keeper. Kusanov will replace Guehi, who has the same score in the cup match. There have been two changes in the outfield since the team’s loss to Real Madrid in midweek, and midfielder O’Reilly will be used in place of Reinders. The inconsistent Doc drops out for Semenyo. Captain Silva retained his place in the starting XI despite receiving the first red card of his career in Europe. Cherki has to start. He could be the maverick to break down Arsenal’s stubborn defence.
Trafford; Nunez, Dias, Kusanov, Ait Nouri. Rodri, O’Reilly, Bernardo. Cherki, semenyo. haaland
Arteta actually has quite a decision to make. Should I continue using Kepa? Is Timber a good place to start? Havertz or Gökeres? Who starts from the left? Fortunately, the Spanish coach’s team has few “poor” options and any combination could be good enough to lift the trophy. But Kepa deserves to stay and I think Arteta will stick with the former Chelsea player. Attacks are more interesting though. Havertz will be a thorn in City’s centre-backs, but they need a goalscorer to win the cup. This is the addition of Gokeres. And I think Maduke’s hour and Martinelli’s 30 minutes against tired legs could very well decide the final against a City team that dominates possession.
Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie. Zubimendi, Rice, Eze. Saka, Gokeres, Maduke
Unless Guardiola overthinks another final, many of the squad will choose themselves. Kusanov deserved to come on instead of Guehi who drew in the cup match, and the other big decision was out of bounds. It is likely that one of Cherki, Doku or Semenyo will be absent, giving Haaland a secondary scorer, but Cherki and Doku are among the few players who can unlock this stubborn Arsenal defence. The time has come to unleash both, even if Guardiola is reluctant.
Trafford; Nunez, Kusanov, Diaz, Ait Nouri. Rodri, Silva, O’Reilly. Cherki, Doc, Harland
