Pep Guardiola has made four changes to the side that lost to Real Madrid last time out.

In goal, James Trafford returns as has become customary for City in this competition.

In defence, Ruben Dias and Rayan Ait-Nouri are replaced by Nathan Ake and Nico O’Reilly, while the final change comes in midfield, with Tijjani Reijnders making way for Antoine Semenyo.

Mikel Arteta makes just two changes to the side that beat Bayer Leverkusen in midweek, with cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga keeping his place in goal. The onyl other change sees Kai Havertz come in for Eberechi Eze in midfield.

City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Donnarumma, Reijnders, Stones, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden

Arsenal XI: Kepa; Whitle, Gabriel, Saliba, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.

Subs: Raya, Mosquera, Jesus, Norgaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.

The line-ups should be released in the next few minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news…

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start in goal ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, and there will be at least one enforced change as Marc Guehi is cup-tied. Erling Haaland, Rodri and Ruben Dias were among the players brought off during second half of the midweek defeat to Real Madrid, while Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly will be pushing to return to the starting line-up. Josko Gvardiol remains absent.

Mikel Arteta was keeping his cards close to his chest when he discussed Arsenal’s team news but did not rule Jurrien Timber or Martin Odegaard out of contention. Arteta refused to say whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would keep his place in goal ahead of David Raya; the Arsenal No 2 goalkeeper has started every round of the Carabao Cup this season, including the semi-final win over Chelsea.

Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka appear certain to start, while Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard could also remain from the side that began the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. But Arteta will have to decide whether to go with Riccardo Calafiori or Piero Hincapie left back, as well as whether to stick with Ben White if Timber is available.

This game will be the 214th meeting between Arsenal and City. Overall, the Gunners still have a great record against the Cityzens, having won 101 games to City’s 65.

Despite previously having a great record against the Gunners, City have failed to win any of the last six meeting, with their last win over Arsenal coming in April 2023.

Earlier this season, the two clubs played out a 1-1 draw in the Premier League at the Emirates.

Any final is a huge game but this one has the feel of a potentially momentous occasion as Arsenal bid to overcome City on the biggest stage for the first time in the Arteta era.

A win here could set the tone for a historic season as the Gunners chase an unprecedented quadruple, though a loss could even swing momentum back in City’s favour as Guardiola’s side chase the league leaders.

Arsenal are the bookies’ favourites after a few weeks in which they’ve taken control of the Premier League title race while City have wilted, and this afternoon could the the day the Gunners finally banish their City demons.

Arsenal’s defensive solidity could once again be the key as they face a City side who have struggled to unlock teams recently, and if the Gunners’ attacking unit can click, they should have more than enough to win their first trophy since 2020.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Man City

City have lost their last two major finals, both in the FA Cup in 2024 (vs Manchester United) and 2025 (vs Crystal Palace). They have never previously lost three consecutive major final appearances.

However, Arteta has never lost at Wembley with Arsenal as either a player (W3 D1) or a manager (W2 D2), going on to win on penalties after all three of those draws.

Ruben Dias has admitted Manchester City needed a huge overhaul to move on from their greatest generation and said their recent signings have given them an added hunger to win trophies.

Meanwhile, some of City’s modern greats – and Dias’ long-time teammates – left, including Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Manuel Akanji and Ederson.