By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
Manchester City Advances to 2026 Carabao Cup Final After Victory Over Newcastle, Setting Up Clash with Arsenal
Manchester City has secured its place in the 2026 Carabao Cup final following a convincing 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle United in the semifinals. The team triumphed 2-0 in the first leg at St. James’ Park on January 13, 2026, with goals scored by Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. In the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on February 4, 2026, City claimed a 3-1 win, featuring a brace from Omar Marmoush and a goal from Tijjani Reijnders, while Newcastle’s sole response came from Anthony Elanga. This result propels Manchester City into the final against Arsenal, scheduled for March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium, with kickoff at 4:30 p.m. local time. Arsenal earned its spot by overcoming Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate, highlighted by a 1-0 second-leg victory courtesy of a stoppage-time strike from Kai Havertz.
Historical Encounters Between Manchester City and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup
The upcoming final marks another chapter in the rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal within the Carabao Cup. The two clubs have faced off four times in the competition, with Manchester City emerging victorious in each instance: a 3-0 win in the 2018 final, a 4-1 quarterfinal success in 2020, a 1-0 semifinal triumph in 2021, and a 2-0 quarterfinal victory in 2022. The most memorable of these meetings was the 2018 final at Wembley, where City prevailed 3-0 through goals from Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany, and David Silva, signifying Pep Guardiola’s inaugural trophy in English football.
Broadening the perspective to all competitions, the clubs have clashed 214 times, with Arsenal holding 100 wins, Manchester City securing 65, and 49 draws recorded. In Premier League fixtures alone, Arsenal boasts 25 victories, City has 19, and there have been 13 draws.
Manchester City’s Record in EFL Cup Finals at Wembley
Manchester City possesses an impressive legacy in EFL Cup finals, all contested at Wembley since the competition’s formative years, barring occasional replays in the 1960s. The club shares the second-highest tally of titles with eight, trailing only Liverpool’s ten. Their victories include: 1970 (2-1 over West Bromwich Albion), 1976 (2-1 against Newcastle United), 2014 (3-1 versus Sunderland), 2016 (1-1 draw with Liverpool, won 3-1 on penalties), 2018 (3-0 over Arsenal), 2019 (0-0 draw with Chelsea, won 4-3 on penalties), 2020 (2-1 against Aston Villa), and 2021 (1-0 over Tottenham Hotspur). The sole defeat came in 1974 (1-2 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Notably, City achieved four consecutive titles from 2018 to 2021, matching Liverpool’s streak from 1981 to 1984. Under Pep Guardiola’s tenure, the club has contested 11 cup finals across 10 seasons, encompassing the EFL Cup, FA Cup, and other tournaments, with multiple EFL Cup successes. Their most dominant final performance was the 3-0 margin against Arsenal in 2018.
Arsenal’s Record in EFL Cup Finals at Wembley
Arsenal approaches its ninth EFL Cup final appearance (including 2026), yet it holds the unfortunate distinction of the most runner-up finishes with six losses. Finals since 1968 have all occurred at Wembley. The Gunners’ triumphs are: 1987 (2-1 over Liverpool) and 1993 (2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday). Their defeats encompass: 1968 (0-1 to Leeds United), 1969 (1-3 against Swindon Town), 1988 (2-3 to Luton Town), 2007 (1-2 versus Chelsea), 2011 (1-2 against Birmingham City), and 2018 (0-3 to Manchester City).
Arsenal has suffered defeats in its last three finals (2007, 2011, and 2018), making it the only team in the competition’s history to endure three consecutive losses. Despite this, the club’s broader Wembley record remains robust, with 30 wins, 8 draws, and 20 losses in 58 matches across all competitions, including 14 FA Cup final victories out of 18 appearances. This 2026 final represents Arsenal’s first EFL Cup decider since 2018.
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