Manchester City vs Arsenal: Preview, team news, facts and score prediction
Arsenal survived the scare of Ostersunds in the Europa League and qualified for the round of 16. The Gunners defeated Chelsea in the semifinals of the cup and it will be Arsenal's first EFL Cup final since 2011.
Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger, will be hoping that his team will put on a strong performance against City and win the Cup. The trophy will work as an opportunity to help save face for Arsenal after a difficult Premier League campaign.
Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola is yet to win a title with his club in England. Although City has sealed the Premier League, they will be hoping to avoid two trophy disappointments in the space 6 days as they were knocked out by Wigan Athletic from FA Cup.
Manchester City vs Arsenal: Kickoff information
Date: 25th February 2018.
Kickoff: 16:30 (local time), 22:00 PM (IST)
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Team News
Manchester City
Fabian Delph, Manchester City defender, is unavailable due to suspension after seeing red against Wigan in FA Cup clash. Benjamin Mendy still remains unavailable owing to the rupturing of the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL).
Gabriel Jesus, having been out for two months with a knee injury is back in contention for a place in the side. He could come off the bench for the Blues. A late call on Yaya Toure is expected. He had missed a few matches due to illness.
Claudio Bravo will be keeping the goal for Manchester City, what he has done for City in all the domestic fixtures this season.
Formation: 4-3-3
Manchester City form guide: W-D-W-W-L
Manchester City possible starting XI:
Claudio Bravo(GK); Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, Fernandinho, Danilo; De Bruyne, D.Silva, Gundogan; Sterling, Aguero, Sane.
Arsenal
David Ospina continues in goal as Arsenal's shot-stopper in the domestic fixtures. In defence, Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin will be continuing as full-backs with Koscielny and Mustafi as the centre-backs.
Aaron Ramsey has returned from injury and it will be interesting to see whether he plays or remains sidelined. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is cup-tied with the Red Devils and Alex Iwobi is seen as the potential option to replace him in the midfield.
Arsenal's new recruit, Aubameyang will be leading the attack for the Gunners with Mesut Ozil in attacking midfield.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Arsenal form guide: L-W-L-W-L
Arsenal possible starting XI:
David Ospina(GK); Hector Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Nacho Monreal; Granit Xhaka, Jack Wilshere; Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi; Aubameyang.
Head to Head Stats
Matches Played: 173
Arsenal Wins: 87
Manchester City Wins: 43
Draws: 43
Key Facts
* This is Arsenal’s eighth League Cup final – they’ve lost more than any other side in the history of the competition (5).
* Manchester City will be making their sixth appearance in the League Cup final, and third in the last five seasons.
* Of the 13 players who played for Arsenal in the 2011 League Cup final against Birmingham which they lost, only Laurent Koscielny and Jack Wilshere remain at the club.
Prediction
Both the sides are highly attacking sides and will look to bank on their strengths. Manchester City will be hungry to win after their loss to Wigan in the FA Cup. On the other hand, Arsenal and Wenger both have a point to prove. So anything can happen.
Scoreline Prediction
Manchester City 1-2 Arsenal