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Wembley Showdown: Pep vs Arteta for the Carabao Cup Crown

5 February 2026

Wembley Showdown: Pep vs Arteta for the Carabao Cup Crown
Arsenal and City gear up for a high-stakes Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

The Wembley Final: Guardiola vs Arteta

The Wembley Stadium will host the English Carabao Cup final on March 22, with Arsenal facing Manchester City in a high-stakes showdown.

Arsenal reached the final after overcoming Chelsea in a London derby on aggregate (4-2).

On the other side, Manchester City defeated Newcastle United 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

ESPN notes that Arteta has yet to lose a match at Wembley as a coach, while Guardiola has never lost a Carabao Cup final, having captured four titles in this competition.

One of these two records is set to be broken when City and Arsenal meet in the final.

Arteta is chasing a fourth trophy as Arsenal manager, having previously won the FA Cup once and the Community Shield twice.

Meanwhile, Guardiola’s trophy-laden tenure at City includes six Premier League titles, one Champions League, and four Carabao Cups.

Sniper joke: Arteta's plan is so tight that even Wembley's corner flags salute him. Sniper joke: Guardiola has so many trophies that his cabinet might need a passport to travel to Wembley.

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the final held?

March 22 at Wembley Stadium in London.

How did Arsenal and City reach the final?

Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate; Manchester City beat Newcastle United 5-1 on aggregate.

What records are at stake for Arteta and Guardiola?

Arteta is undefeated at Wembley as a coach; Guardiola is undefeated in Carabao Cup finals—one of these records will fall in the final.