Arsenal play Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday with silverware on the line, and Paul Merson has urged Mikel Arteta to make a brave team selection decision ahead of the clash, which may ultimately be unpopular.
The Gunners strolled past Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night, courtesy of a stunning strike from Eberechi Eze and a neat finish from Declan Rice. This result saw them progress into the quarter-final of the Champions League for the third consecutive season, with an unprecedented quadruple subsequently still on the cards.
City endured a very different round of 16 tie in Europe’s elite competition, as they were comfortably beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s side will likely be low on morale after this damaging defeat, while they’ll also be without key defenders Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol for the trip to Wembley.
The two sides’ differing recent fortunes should play into Arsenal’s hands, and the Gunners should be confident that they can win the Carabao Cup for the first time since 1993.
Paul Merson provides David Raya vs Kepa Arrizabalaga verdict ahead of Man City clash
Perhaps Arteta’s most difficult decision regarding his starting eleven heading to Wembley is what to do in between the sticks. David Raya is the first-choice goalkeeper and generally plays all the big matches, but Kepa Arrizabalaga has started every single minute thus far in the Carabao Cup.
Taking the latter out of the side for the final, given that he’s helped the Gunners get there, would be harsh, although ultimately winning is all that matters. Kepa has already hinted that he’ll start the showdown with City, revealing to the media how he prepares to deal with the Wembley atmosphere.
“I have played in the League Cup final before, but I have played many finals in my career; I have been lucky in that way,” he told the Sun.
“So I will just approach the game the best way that I can. We will prepare everything in the best way, because at the end, the aim is to win.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga. @Arsenal’s penalty shootout saviour 🧤
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) December 24, 2025
18/19 – Finalist🥈
21/22 – Finalist 🥈
25/26 – ❓ pic.twitter.com/KuSuxnNXjM
Arteta would be forgiven for calling upon Raya to help end Arsenal’s trophy drought, but it appears he’s leaning towards Kepa. Former Arsenal forward and now pundit Merson believes this is the correct decision to make, even if it’s unpopular with supporters.
“The big decision that Arsenal need to make is whether they go with Kepa Arrizabalaga or David Raya in goal,” he wrote for Sportskeeda.
“Kepa has been first-choice in the Carabao Cup, and I think they should stick with him. It’s only fair because he played well and got you to this stage.
“But I must admit, Raya is world-class! The saves he made against Everton and Leverkusen, absolutely phenomenal.
“However, if I were the manager, I would still stick to my principles and choose Kepa as the keeper for the final. He’s not let the team down in this competition and deserves to start.”
Paul Merson predicts Mikel Arteta’s forward-line for Man City final
Goalkeeper is not the only position of contention in the Arsenal team ahead of Sunday. Up front, Arteta has to pick between Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, while Noni Madueke will be pushing for a place over Bukayo Saka on the right, and Gabriel Martinelli will be fighting Leandro Trossard for a spot off the left.
Merson believes the Spanish coach will simply roll out the same front four he used against Leverkusen on Tuesday night.
“I have a feeling Mikel Arteta will go with Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres to form the attacking quartet for Arsenal with Eze. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will sit behind them in midfield.”
He added on Eze: “Arsenal have that swagger about them. They know they are good. Eberechi Eze likes playing at Wembley too. He scored in the final and lifted the FA Cup with Crystal Palace at Wembley last season. I think he keeps his place in the starting line-up for this game.”
Paul Merson makes Arsenal vs Man City prediction
It will be an intense affair at Wembley, and the outcome may ultimately be decided by what happens early in the match.
City came out of the blocks quickly at the Emirates back in September, scoring inside the opening 15 minutes. The Gunners were then chasing the game for the majority of the match, before they finally scored an equaliser in the dying embers.
If Arteta’s side can weather City’s early storm, then they should be in a strong position to win the game in the second half, with Guardiola’s outfit generally fading after the interval this season.
Merson has tipped his former club to win their first piece of silverware since 2020.
“The Premier League leaders will want this to be a dull game because it suits them. If it becomes end-to-end, City have a chance in my opinion,” he wrote.
“If I had to pick a team, I would go Arsenal. However, that doesn’t mean it will be easy. We know Manchester City can play, and if they get going, they can hurt any team.
“I believe the quadruple dream is still very much on if the Gunners win this final. The Premier League is done and dusted, they have a good draw in the FA Cup and face Sporting in the Champions League quarter-final.
“I know they could face Barcelona or Atletico in the semi-final, but we all know how difficult they are to beat as a unit. So I’m not giving up hopes!”
Merson’s Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City
