According to Metro Sport, Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, will have a difficult time preparing for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City due to squad selection and fixture congestion.
Arteta must carefully weigh player fitness and tactical choices if the Gunners are to add a third trophy to their campaign and possibly complete the first leg of a quadruple.
The goalie position is a major conundrum. While usual first-choice David Raya has made outstanding saves in other competitions, Kepa Arrizabalaga has started all five Carabao Cup games this season.
Paul Merson, a former Arsenal player, wrote, “It’s only fair because he played well and got you to this stage,” in support of continuing with Kepa. However, I have to acknowledge that Raya is exceptional.
If I were in charge, I would still uphold my moral convictions and select Kepa to be the goalie for the championship game.
Fixture scheduling may provide City with a relative edge off the field. Manchester City’s match against Crystal Palace has not yet been rescheduled, giving the Citizens a lighter April schedule. Arsenal’s midweek league match against Wolves has already taken place.
In contrast to City’s four games that month, Arteta’s team may play six, putting his players under more physical and mental strain before a pivotal league match in mid-April.
City is the biggest threat to Arsenal’s Premier League aspirations, but they are still competitive on other fronts.
Potential scheduling conflicts have decreased since City’s Champions League elimination, but Arteta’s team still faces a big obstacle due to the shortened schedule.
Arteta’s choices on player rotation, team selection, and matchday tactics will be critical given the approaching Carabao Cup final.
In the final phases of the 2025–26 season, the result may influence Arsenal’s momentum in the league and European tournaments in addition to their chances of winning a trophy.
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