Arsenal will face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final after watching Pep Guardiola’s side dismantle Newcastle United.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate to advance to the final, giving the squad the chance to sit back and enjoy what unfolded between Man City and Newcastle.
Though the Arsenal squad don’t tend to watch rival teams play, the Gunners had an additional incentive to tune in, as a date with Guardiola at Wembley awaits.
Given the way in which City pulled Newcastle apart, it would be assumed that Mikel Arteta would’ve perhaps preferred to face Eddie Howe’s struggling side, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Agree or disagree? This should be Arsenal’s starting XI in the Carabao Cup final!
Arsenal will be delighted to face Man City in the Carabao Cup final
Guardiola has already spoken about the Carabao Cup final, confirming that James Trafford will keep his place ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It’s an instant advantage for the Gunners, who have had their fair share of frustration caused by Donnarumma over the years.
It’s not, however, the only reason Arsenal will be glad to face City over Newcastle, so here are three other reasons.
Mikel Arteta beat Pep Guardiola at Wembley before
Guardiola’s record over Arteta is better than the Arsenal manager’s against his former colleague, but when it comes to Wembley, the Gunners boss has an advantage.
Early predictions, who will come out on top when Arsenal face Man City at Wembley?
Arteta’s Arsenal have faced Guardiola’s City twice at Wembley, and have won on both occasions.
The 2020 FA Cup semi-final win over City led Arsenal to the final, where they beat Chelsea.
Then came the 2023 Community Shield battle, which the Gunners won on penalties.
It’s a clear boost for Arteta, who will fancy his chances against his rival under the arch.
Arsenal fans were wary of Newcastle’s support
Guardiola and Arteta’s battle aside, another reason why City are considered the better opponent is due to their support and approach in finals.
When we asked TalkingPoints users who they’d prefer to face in the final, City were the overriding answer, with several Arsenal supporters making a point about Newcastle’s support.
TalkingPoints users were wary of Newcastle’s support at Wembley…How glad are you that Arsenal got Man City instead?
One said, “Newcastle would be massively up for it again,” reminiscing on how overpowering the Magpies were on their last visit to Wembley.
The Geordies have notoriously loud support, and City are, quite frankly, the opposite, as finals are an expectation rather than a history-altering occasion.
It’s a boost for Arsenal, who will face a challenge at Wembley on the pitch, but in the stands, Gooners will feel as though they can win the battle of being the 12th man.
Arsenal are better than Man City
Newcastle have a fanbase that can truly act as the 12th man in big games, but City don’t.
Stripping it back to basics, 11 vs 11, Arsenal are the better side right now, which is the simplest reason as to why the Gunners will be glad to face City.
City aren’t the City that tormented Arsenal in previous seasons, with their defence being a significant weak point.
Arsenal have the defence to stop City’s attacking quality, but do City have the answers for Arsenal going forward? That’s not so clear right now.
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