The Manchester City EFL Cup final is approaching as Pep Guardiola’s team prepares to face Arsenal. Since Guardiola took charge in the 2016/17 season, City has made more domestic finals than any other Premier League team, totaling nine appearances.
The match generates interest across England and beyond, as City will go up against Arsenal in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Manchester City secured their place in the final by defeating Newcastle United 3-1 in the semi-final’s second leg, finishing with a 5-1 aggregate score. This victory continues City’s strong performance this season, and they will now focus on Arsenal for the final.
In March, Guardiola’s side will meet Arsenal in the final. Arsenal reached this stage after overcoming Chelsea with a 4-2 aggregate score in their semi-final.
The Gunners are currently favorites, sitting at the top of the Premier League, but Manchester City has a superior record in reaching finals.
Under Pep Guardiola, City has played in nine finals, while no other club has made it to more than eight during this period. This experience could be crucial when the two sides clash.
Arsenal Set To Face Manchester City in EFL Cup Final
Arsenal secured their final spot with a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the second leg, resulting in a 4-2 aggregate victory following their earlier win at Stamford Bridge.
The first half was tight, with both teams struggling to create clear chances, ending 0-0 at halftime.
In the second half, Chelsea found it difficult against Arsenal’s solid defense. As the match neared its end, Arsenal countered quickly, with Kai Havertz scoring to seal the win.
EFL Cup Final: Can Manchester City Stop Arsenal?
As the final approaches, Manchester City must remain vigilant, as Arsenal has been defensively strong this season. The Gunners are the first team in Europe’s top leagues to achieve 20 clean sheets across all competitions, making them hard to break down.
In their previous meeting at the Emirates in September 2025, the match finished 1-1, with Arsenal equalizing in the last minute.
City has also been solid defensively, recording 16 clean sheets, though they have conceded six more goals than Arsenal in 24 Premier League matches.
City has excelled in attack, with 49 goals in the Premier League compared to Arsenal’s 46. However, Arsenal has faced some challenges recently, failing to score in two of their last four league matches.