🏆 Carabao Cup Final 2026 – Arsenal VS Manchester City
📅 22 March 2026 | Wembley Stadium, London
Silverware is on the line, history is at stake and two of English football’s biggest clubs go head-to-head in the 2026 EFL Cup Final. This year’s showdown sees Arsenal take on Manchester City in a clash that promises drama, quality and a real narrative storyline under the Wembley lights.
For Arsenal it’s a chance to end a six-year trophy drought. For Manchester City, it’s an opportunity to add a record ninth Carabao Cup title to a club legacy already filled with domestic honours. This is more than a final — it’s a statement.
📜 A Brief History of the Carabao Cup
The EFL Cup, currently known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is one of English football’s oldest knockout competitions, first contested in the 1960–61 season. Organized by the English Football League, it runs alongside the FA Cup and invites all 92 clubs from the Premier League and the EFL into a dramatic, single elimination contest.
The very first final was played over two legs, with Aston Villa lifting the inaugural trophy. Since then, the format has evolved and the final has become a single, high-profile event at Wembley Stadium, the spiritual home of English domestic cup football.
Over more than six decades, the competition has delivered unforgettable nights, iconic goals, and career defining moments.
🏆 Record Winners: Top 3 Clubs in Carabao Cup History
Few clubs have dominated this competition like the leaders on the all-time winners list:
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Liverpool – 9 titles
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Manchester City – 8 titles (chasing their ninth in 2026)
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Chelsea – 5 titles
These clubs represent sustained excellence in domestic cup competitions, and all have carved out legendary moments in the Carabao Cup.
⚽ Top Scorers in Carabao Cup History
The competition has featured hundreds of players, but a few names stand out across its long history:
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John Aldridge – 42 goals
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Ian Rush – 30 goals
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Robbie Fowler – 27 goals
These prolific forwards remain etched in the competition’s legacy, having consistently delivered in the knockout moments that matter most.
📊 Arsenal vs Manchester City: Head to Head
When these two giants of English football meet, sparks fly. Recent head to head history between Arsenal and Manchester City tells a story of tactical battles, late drama and evolving rivalries.
Over the past decade, Manchester City have enjoyed a period of domestic dominance, winning multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups and EFL Cups. Arsenal have been perennial challengers, blending youth with established talent and building toward sustained success under their current manager.
In cup competitions specifically, meetings between the two sides have produced tight scorelines and dramatic matches, with both teams boasting squads capable of turning a match on its head through individual brilliance or tactical innovation.
🔥 Mikel Arteta: The Unique Connection
A fascinating subplot to this final is the journey of Mikel Arteta — the current Arsenal manager.
Arteta’s story intertwines with both clubs in special ways:
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As a player, Arteta was a respected midfielder at Arsenal and even served as club captain, earning admiration for his leadership on and off the pitch.
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After his playing career, Arteta joined the coaching staff at Manchester City, working closely under Pep Guardiola. During this time he soaked up tactical insights, training methodologies and leadership philosophies that would shape his own managerial career.
Arteta’s transition from Arsenal captain to Guardiola’s assistant at City, and now back to Arsenal as manager, gives this final a unique narrative dimension. It’s a meeting not just of clubs, but of professional journeys and shared football philosophies.
🥅 Arsenal: Chasing Silverware and Momentum
Arsenal enter the final with a hunger for trophies. Their last piece of major silverware came six years ago, and supporters have been waiting for a moment that could truly signal a new era.
With a squad blended with youth, energy and experience, Arsenal approach this final with confidence and determination, aiming to lift a trophy in front of their fans and vindicate their strategic evolution.
🔵 Manchester City: Pursuing Domestic Cup Supremacy
Manchester City are one of English football’s most successful sides in the modern era. Their pursuit of a ninth Carabao Cup crown underscores their remarkable consistency and ability to perform in knockout competitions.
City’s squad depth, tactical flexibility and experience in finals make them a formidable opponent in any cup tie. They are a club built on winning — and this final is another opportunity to add to an already impressive trophy cabinet.
🧠 Carabao Cup Facts Worth Knowing
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The EFL Cup has been contested every season since 1960–61, making it one of the longest-running competitions in English football.
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The first final was played over two legs, unlike the single match at Wembley used today.
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Unlike the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup winner often earns European qualification (UEFA Europa Conference League) if they have not already qualified through league placement.
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The tournament has a rich tradition of upsets, dramatic matches and opportunities for young stars to shine.
🎟️ Why the 2026 Final Matters
Whether you’re an Arsenal fan hoping for a long-awaited trophy or a Manchester City supporter backing another historic success, the Carabao Cup Final 2026 is a must-watch.
This match is not just about silverware — it is about pride, momentum and the celebration of English football at its most dramatic.
From Wembley’s famous pitch to the last whistle, this final promises emotion, quality and a defining moment in the 2025-26 season.