{"id":27096,"date":"2026-03-22T09:02:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T09:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/22\/7-experts-predict-arsenal-vs-man-city-to-win-the-carabao-cup\/"},"modified":"2026-03-22T09:02:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T09:02:35","slug":"7-experts-predict-arsenal-vs-man-city-to-win-the-carabao-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/22\/7-experts-predict-arsenal-vs-man-city-to-win-the-carabao-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"7 experts predict Arsenal vs Man City to win the Carabao Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Manchester City will face Arsenal in the first domestic final of the season as the top two Premier League teams compete for the Carabao Cup<\/h2>\n
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07:00, March 22, 2026<\/span>Updated March 22, 2026 07:05<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Arsenal and Manchester City battle for the Carabao Cup (Image: Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Manchester City and Arsenal will meet in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, with both teams aiming to win their first trophy of the season. The Gunners are leading the charge in the Premier League title race, but City will be disappointed when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.<\/p>\n
Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals, but City lost 5-1 on aggregate to their Spanish opponents and were eliminated from Europe. All eyes now turn to Wembley and the chance to gain a psychological advantage ahead of the run-in.<\/p>\n
City are nine points behind Arsenal in the league and a win in the final could put further pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side. However, the Gunners may be able to put some distance between themselves and City by winning their first silver medal since the Community Shield in 2023.<\/p>\n
If we look at their recent form, Arsenal should have the upper hand. The Gunners play in the Champions League and are unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions, including a dramatic win against Everton last weekend.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, City have only won one of their last five games, and that was against Newcastle in the FA Cup. Two defeats to Real Madrid and further draws to West Ham and Nottingham Forest ended their European dreams and hampered them domestically as well.<\/p>\n
read more: Arsenal and Man City fans issued emergency warning over \u00a31,000 fine for Carabao Cup final<\/span><\/span>read more: Arsenal’s strategy was ‘unexpected by Mikel Arteta’ as Man City forced a change of plans<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
However, the one-shot cup match between the two teams will be a completely different prospect as expectations will be off. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at what seven of the game’s top pundits predicted when the two teams meet on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Follow the Arsenal FB page! For the latest Gunners news and details, visit our dedicated Facebook page.<\/p>\n
Paul Merson – Arsenal victory<\/h3>\n
Merson backed his former team to save the trophy against City. The former Arsenal star told Sportkeeda: “If I had to choose a team, I would go to Arsenal.<\/p>\n
“But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. We know Manchester City can play and if they get going they can cause damage to any team.”<\/p>\n
The former England international believes his quadruple vision could become a reality if the Gunners win the Carabao Cup. Merson added: “If the Gunners win this final, I believe the quadruple dream will still continue.”<\/p>\n
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Paul Merson believes in who he used to be (Image: James Gill – Danehouse\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“The Premier League is over and dusted. They had a good draw in the FA Cup and will face Sporting in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. I know they could face Barcelona or Atl\u00e9tico in the semi-finals, but we all know how difficult it is to beat them as a unit. So I’m not giving up hope!”<\/p>\n
Joe Cole – Arsenal win<\/h3>\n
Cole will attend the final as a spectator rather than a pundit and feels he will be watching his former city rivals take home the trophy. The former Chelsea star told the Dressing Room podcast: “I’m not working on the Carabao Cup final, but I’m going to go watch it as a fan, which I haven’t done for a long time.<\/p>\n
“I like Arsenal. I think Arsenal beat them. I saw Man City live, so I like Arsenal, but it’s a great match for a neutral ground.”<\/p>\n
“I’m going to make a different prediction. I think there’s going to be a little bit of hiccups and nasties on the bench. There’s a lot of tension going on at this point in the season, so keep an eye on that.”<\/p>\n
Chris Sutton – City win<\/h3>\n
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Chris Sutton backed City to win another silverware (Image: Richard Sellers\/Sportsphoto\/Allstar via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Sutton does not think this final will affect the title race and feels Arsenal are running away with the Premier League. But he believes Guardiola will beat his former colleague by one point and win the Carabao Cup on penalties.<\/p>\n
The popular pundit wrote in his column for BBC Sport: “I don’t think this game has anything to do with the Premier League title race. For a long time people have been saying that whoever wins this game wins the title, but that’s not the case anymore. No matter what happens at Wembley, City can’t catch Arsenal.”<\/p>\n
“City are currently excluded from the Champions League, but I have to say that against Real Madrid on Tuesday, they were great, both before and after going down to 10 men. They took on the challenge and were brave, but also created a lot of chances.”<\/p>\n
“However, given the nature of the Premier League this season, I think this will be a completely different game. But I fear it will be a really ugly and boring fixture, with both teams unwilling to take any risks. Prediction: 0-0 after extra time, City winning on penalties.”<\/p>\n
Tim Sherwood – City win<\/h3>\n
Former Tottenham player Sherwood backed City to lift the cup before the end of the game on Sunday afternoon. He told Premier League Productions: “They will also meet in the cup final. I think Man City might win in the final.”<\/p>\n
As for the title race, Sherwood added: “But I don’t think they’re going to win the Premier League. I think it’s going to be a red and white ribbon on that cup very, very soon.”<\/p>\n
Alan Shearer – Arsenal win<\/h3>\n
Alan Shearer watched his beloved Newcastle win the Carabao Cup 12 months ago. Unfortunately, this time his sons were eliminated in the semi-finals against City.<\/p>\n
He believes the Gunners will get revenge on Thun in what he expects to be a close contest at Wembley. He told Betfair: “I think it’s going to be a great game. I think there’s a lot to talk about. I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes to penalties. But Arsenal might put a damper on it. I think it’s going to be a really, really close game, but I’m going to aim for Arsenal to win.”<\/p>\n
“There is pressure on both clubs, pressure is on for different reasons. There is talk that this could be Pep’s last season. Man City are not at the same level defensively. They give away too many chances and that was summed up the other day against Real Madrid.”<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be a very tense game. There’s going to be a lot of excitement. There’s going to be some bite to the game for obvious reasons. But I’m really looking forward to the game. It should be a great Sunday with Newcastle kicking off early and then the cup final, so yeah, it’s going to be great.”<\/p>\n
Gabby Agbonlahor \u2013 Arsenal win<\/h3>\n
Aston Villa hero Agbonlahor predicted Arsenal will lift the Carabao Cup while discussing the Champions League on talkSPORT. Speaking before City were eliminated from Europe, he said: ‘For me it’s an Arsenal win, an Arsenal win, Ally (McCoist).<\/p>\n
“I think they know how important that game is. Looking at Man City, I think Gabriel (Magalh\u00e3es) and (William) Saliba are going to be very aggressive against (Erling) Haaland, how he’s doing.”<\/p>\n
“And I think it will be a tough situation on the touchline. I know[Mikel]Arteta and Guardiola are friends, but I think everything is at stake in this game.”<\/p>\n
Clinton Morrison – City Victory<\/h3>\n
Sky Sports star Clinton Morrison believes City will lift the cup at Wembley, but does not think it will affect the Premier League title race.<\/p>\n
He told Freebets: “Something inside me says City can do it. Arsenal are the favourites, but I think this game is actually more important for Man City than Arsenal right now. “I think Arsenal will win the Premier League no matter what happens on Sunday, but I don’t think City will catch up. I don’t think so. But for City, this is a must-win. If they lose the Carabao Cup and are eliminated from the Champions League, the only thing left for them is the FA Cup. “That’s not where Manchester City expect to be.<\/p>\n
This is a really big deal for Manchester City. They have been winning trophies for fun in recent years, but their season will be decided this afternoon at Wembley. But it gives me confidence in them. They know how to get to the final and they know how to win at Wembley. I think it will be a great final match as both teams will do their best and we will see a high quality match. But I support City.”<\/p>\n
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The Carabao Cup final will be played between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London in March this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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