Arsenal vs Manchester City League Cup Final: Pre-match report
What's the story
As Arsenal lock horns with Manchester City in the League Cup final, Arsene Wenger will try to win a competition he has never won.
On the other hand, his counterpart Pep Guardiola is eying his first title in English football.
The stakes are high and who will have the bragging rights?
Here is our pre-match report.
On song
Manchester City favourites to win League Cup
Pep Guardiola's men are favourites to win the Carabao Cup. If his boys win, this will be Pep's first trophy with them.
Wenger has reached the finals of League Cup twice but has lost both of them. He has won 7 of 12 cup finals with Arsenal.
However, Guardiola's record is better, winning 11 out of 12 finals with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Contrasting fortunes
City are red hot while Arsenal are finding their feet
It has been 14 years since Arsenal won EPL and are considered a club fighting for Cup competitions.
However, they overcame odds to beat Chelsea in last year's FA Cup's final.
City, on the other hand, have been unstoppable in this season. They have a 15 point lead in EPL. But a shock defeat to Wigan in the FA Cup is a timely reminder.
No big worries
No Delph, Sterling for City, Mkhitaryan for Arsenal
As far as injuries and suspensions are concerned, City will be without Raheem Sterling. Young striker, Gabriel Jesus could return from a knee injury.
Fabian Delph will not be available for the next 3 games after picking up a red card in the FA cup defeat against Wigan.
For Arsenal, Aaron Ramsey is close to fitness but Henrikh Mkhitaryan is cup-tied.
Experience vs tenacity
Can Wenger get the better of serial winner Guardiola?
Pep Guardiola, who is one of the most successful managers in world football, can't take this lightly.
He might have won 11 trophies with Barcelona and 7 more during his time at Bayern Munich, but this is English football and it is very competitive.
Arsenal may be the underdogs but still, boast enough quality to upset high-flying city.