Manchester City v Arsenal League Cup final preview

Sergio Aguero set the Premier League leaders on the way to victory with the opening goal before second half strikes from the outstanding Vincent Kompany and David Silva finished off the Gunners at Wembley.

“It’s true that I always used to use this competition with a youth team”. The Wales global has missed the last three games with a groin injury but Wenger is confident he will now be ready to be involved at Wembley.

Last season they finished fifth and Arsene Wenger’s side are now being left behind in sixth spot as they prepare to face runaway Premier League leaders City at Wembley. “We showed character coming back from 1-0 down to win the game”.

“When people asked in the beginning, about winning four titles (this season), I said of course we’ll try, but the big teams have not been able to do that – the big Liverpools, the big Uniteds, the big Arsenals, the big Chelseas”. This game against City is a big opportunity for him.

The EFL Cup could probably be Arsenal’s best shot at silverware this season.

However, Guardiola has issues in defence as Fabian Delph is suspended for Sunday’s final after his red card against Wigan.

Arsene Wenger will make a decision on Aaron Ramsey on Saturday and he “thinks” Mesut Ozil will be “alright” for the showpiece.

However, the England global has enjoyed a resurgence this season, and Silva feels that Sunday’s EFL Cup final clash against Manchester City will provide the ideal opportunity for Wilshere to prove his quality.

Manchester City could be without Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus as both require late fitness tests, according to Physioroom.com.

In recent times Arsenal have looked like they’re going have an average season yet somehow manage to make it to a final – and this season is no different.

“Arsenal may play a cautious game and play two holding midfield players”. Ramsey himself has scored two Cup winning goals at Wembley in 2014 and 2017, that won Gunners the FA Cups twice. The Catalan has never lost a final in normal time and has only lost one (a Copa Del Rey final defeat to Real Madrid in 2011) of the seven major finals he has managed.

Perhaps with this in mind, Guardiola will not endorse any wild celebrations if his team triumph, with a Premier League rematch at Arsenal on Thursday to consider.

The Argentina ace celebrated his 199th goal for the club having eased past Shkodran Mustafi to latch onto Claudio Bravo’s long goal-kick and weigh a chip over David Ospina to perfection.

Guardiola, who made 263 appearances for Barcelona FC between 1990 and 2001, is now the manager of Manchester City FC.