Carabao Cup Final Showdown: Arsenal Face Manchester City in Season's First Silverware Clash
The inaugural trophy of the 2025–26 campaign is set to be awarded this Sunday, as Arsenal and Manchester City lock horns in the highly anticipated Carabao Cup final. With a nine-point gap separating these two titans at the Premier League summit, the Gunners are widely tipped as favourites to clinch their first league title since 2004. However, Pep Guardiola's squad remains confident in their ability to triumph in a one-off final, aiming not only to secure silverware but also to deliver a psychological blow to Arsenal ahead of the crucial domestic run-in.
This final represents the first significant hurdle for Mikel Arteta as his team pursues an extraordinary quadruple this season. But which side holds the historical advantage? Daily Mail Sport delves into the record between Guardiola and Arteta since the Spaniard took charge at the Emirates in 2020.
Early Encounters: City's Dominance Begins
Man City 3-0 Arsenal, June 2020
After serving as Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City, Arteta first confronted his former mentor in the summer of 2020, following football's return post-Covid-19 pandemic. City dominated the match after Arsenal were reduced to ten men due to David Luiz's red card in the 24th minute. Raheem Sterling opened the scoring, with Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden adding goals in the second half, marking a disappointing return to the Etihad for Guardiola's former protégé.
Arsenal 2-0 Man City, July 2020
Arsenal swiftly exacted revenge, as Arteta guided his team to a 2-0 victory over City in the FA Cup semi-final. Despite City controlling much of the game, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a brace to propel Arsenal into the final, where they defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley. This remains Arteta's sole trophy at the Emirates ahead of Sunday's final.
Man City 1-0 Arsenal, October 2020
Just three months later, Manchester City claimed a narrow 1-0 win at the Etihad. Sterling's first-half goal proved decisive, as he capitalised on a rebound after Bernd Leno parried Foden's effort into a dangerous area.
Arsenal 1-4 Man City, December 2020
A second defeat against City followed for Arsenal two months later. Gabriel Jesus headed home within three minutes, before Alexandre Lacazette equalised on the half-hour mark. However, Guardiola's side unleashed a second-half onslaught, with Riyad Mahrez, Foden, and Aymeric Laporte scoring three goals in 19 minutes to secure City's place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Continued City Supremacy and Key Matches
Arsenal 0-1 Man City, February 2021
League leaders City maintained their ten-point advantage with another tight win over Arsenal, thanks to an early goal from Sterling, who scored within two minutes via a glancing header from Mahrez's cross.
Man City 5-0 Arsenal, August 2021
Arsenal endured a disastrous start to the 2021–22 season, slumping to the bottom of the Premier League after a 5-0 thrashing at the Etihad. Falling 2-0 behind inside 12 minutes, their woes compounded when Granit Xhaka was sent off in the 35th minute. Ferran Torres struck twice, with Ilkay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus, and Rodri adding further goals.
Arsenal 1-2 Man City, January 2022
Fresh off a ten-game winning streak, City extended their run to 11 victories with a 2-1 win at the Emirates, despite conceding first. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring, but Mahrez levelled from the penalty spot before Rodri secured the win with a last-gasp goal, marking City's fifth successive victory over Arsenal.
Man City 1-0 Arsenal, January 2023
Guardiola's side advanced to the FA Cup fifth round with a 1-0 win, courtesy of Nathan Ake's goal assisted by Jack Grealish. Arsenal, then leading the Premier League, fought hard but faded in the second half, allowing City to seize control.
Arsenal 1-3 Man City, February 2023
In a pivotal Premier League clash, City's 3-1 victory saw them leapfrog Arsenal to top the table. De Bruyne opened the scoring, Saka equalised, but second-half goals from Erling Haaland and Grealish propelled City to the summit.
Man City 4-1 Arsenal, April 2023
City delivered another crushing blow in the title race, winning 4-1. De Bruyne and John Stones scored early, Rob Holding reduced the deficit, but Haaland sealed the win in injury time. City went on to secure the Premier League title and a historic treble.
Tide Turns: Arsenal's Resurgence
Man City 1-1 Arsenal (1-4 on pens), August 2023
After the heartbreaking title loss, Arsenal responded emphatically in the Community Shield. Leandro Trossard equalised in added time, and the Gunners won 4-1 on penalties, with Fabio Vieira scoring the decisive spot-kick. This remains Arteta's last defeat to Guardiola.
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City, October 2023
Arteta's side built on their Community Shield success with a 1-0 win, thanks to Gabriel Martinelli's deflected goal in the 86th minute. City had chances but failed to convert, signalling Arsenal's emergence as serious contenders.
Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal, March 2024
The first goalless draw between the managers occurred late in the 2023-24 season. City dominated but couldn't break through, marking the first time in 58 home matches they failed to score. Arsenal finished just two points behind City in the title race.
Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal, September 2024
In an thrilling encounter, Haaland scored first, but Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel put Arsenal ahead. After Leandro Trossard's red card, City rallied, with Stones equalising in stoppage time to deny Arsenal victory.
Arsenal 5-1 Manchester City, February 2025
Arsenal recorded their biggest ever win over City, with Martin Odegaard opening the scoring. Haaland equalised, but Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri secured a emphatic victory, though Arsenal's title hopes were fading.
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City, September 2025
The latest meeting saw Arteta become the first manager to go five league games unbeaten against Guardiola. Haaland scored early, but super-sub Martinelli rescued a point for Arsenal with a 93rd-minute equaliser.
Arteta vs Guardiola Record Summary
Played: 16
Arsenal wins: 4
Man City wins: 9
Draws: 3
