Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction: Top Two Meet in EFL Cup Final

Arsenal and Manchester City are currently the top two of the Premier League, and they will go head-to-head for the EFL Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium.

• Arsenal are looking to win what would be their second trophy under Mikel Arteta

• Manchester City have an excellent recent record in English soccer’s secondary cup competition

Arsenal vs Manchester City Odds

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My +130 Pick for Arsenal vs. Manchester City 

Back Arsenal to beat Manchester City in the EFL Cup final. The Gunners have been the better team overall this season, and they can show that at Wembley Stadium.

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Can Arsenal Win Only Second Trophy Under Mikel Arteta?

There is no doubt that Mikel Arteta has done a fantastic job as Arsenal manager. Since taking charge in late 2019, he has lifted the Gunners from outside the top five into title contention. Arsenal are a serious team again, and for that they have Arteta more than anyone else to thank.

There is one mark against him, however. With this current side, which can probably be traced back to three years ago, Arteta has yet to win a trophy. He did claim silverware in 2020, guiding the Gunners to FA Cup glory a few months after getting the job, but that was a very different side to the current one.

Arsenal are surely on the verge of ending that six-year wait for another prize. In fact, they are in contention for no fewer than four trophies in 2025/26. Arsenal are in the EFL Cup final this weekend. They are quarter-finalists in both the FA Cup and the Champions League, and they are top of the Premier League. This could be Arsenal's greatest ever campaign.

First up is the EFL Cup. Arsenal have beaten Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Chelsea in previous rounds, as they attempt to win the tournament for only the third time in their history. Somewhat surprisingly, their last success in the EFL Cup came way back in 1993.

They received a welcome boost last weekend as Arsenal moved nine points clear of Manchester City in the title race. Although that has no direct bearing on the EFL Cup final, which is a standalone match at Wembley Stadium, it has no doubt provided Arsenal with a psychological boost.

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Will Manchester City Add Another Trophy to Their Cabinet?

Compared to Arsenal, Manchester City have had much more recent success in the EFL Cup. They have won this trophy eight times in total, putting them second to Liverpool in the all-time rankings, and six of those successes have come since 2014.

Pep Guardiola has masterminded four of City's triumphs, making him the joint-most successful manager in the history of the competition alongside Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough. Victory this weekend would see Guardiola claim yet another record in English soccer.

However, it has been a difficult few weeks for City. On Tuesday they were dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid for the second season in a row. In the Premier League, back-to-back draws with Nottingham Forest and West Ham United - two relegation candidates, no less - have handed Arsenal the initiative in the title race. 

There is still plenty to play for as far as Guardiola’s side are concerned. They could yet win a domestic treble. Despite trailing Arsenal by nine points in the league, City still have a game in hand and still have to welcome Arteta's men to the Etihad Stadium next month. It would be a mistake to write them off with eight games still to play, particularly as City have a habit of coming from behind to win the championship crown.

There is a feeling that the outcome of the EFL Cup final this weekend could have an impact on the title tussle, even though there are not any points up for grabs. A win for Arsenal would perhaps confirm the passing of the torch that already appears to be under way. A victory for City would show they are still fighting to stay on top. 

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This is Ideal Final for the Neutrals as England’s Top Two Meet

Arsenal and Manchester City could not be separated in the only other meeting between these sides this season, as a late Gunners goal earned them a draw at the Emirates Stadium. They beat City on home turf last season, but they have not defeated their upcoming opponents away from the Emirates since the FA Cup semi-final in 2020.

There would be no better time to end that run than Sunday - and we fancy Arsenal to do it. This is a massive opportunity for the Gunners, for whom victory over Manchester City would be a symbolic moment given the dominance of Guardiola's team in recent seasons.

For much of Guardiola's tenure, City have been the best side in England - and sometimes in the whole of Europe. That is not the case right now. Arsenal are nine points better off than City in the Premier League and that is indicative of their status as the strongest team in the country at this moment in time.

Of course, that does not mean an Arsenal victory is inevitable on Sunday. City are more than capable of beating anyone on the continent on their day. But Arsenal are the more complete side and the fact they can win games in different ways should stand them in good stead for the weekend.

A trophy is tantalisingly within reach for this group of Arsenal players. On the evidence of the season to date, this team has what it takes to get over the line at Wembley Stadium. Go for an Arsenal victory over Manchester City on Sunday.

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How to Watch Arsenal vs. Manchester City

• Teams: Arsenal vs. Manchester City

• Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England

• Date and Time: Sunday 22nd March, 12:30PM ET

• How to Watch: Paramount+