Arsenal has landed a major advantage heading into the 2026 Carabao Cup final. The EFL confirmed its decision on Manchester City’s new signing, Marc Guehi.
He won’t be eligible to play in the Wembley showdown. That means City are without a key defensive player against the Gunners on March 22.
City Set for Wembley, But With a Catch
Manchester City booked their spot in the Carabao Cup final after beating Newcastle United. They won the second leg 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on February 4, clinching a 5-1 aggregate victory.
Omar Marmoush scored two goals and Tijjani Reijnders added another for City in that game. Anthony Elanga got Newcastle’s lone goal.
And so, it’s City versus Arsenal for the trophy. Arsenal reached the final earlier, defeating Chelsea. This marks Arsenal’s first final appearance in six years. It’s a big deal for them.
Pep Guardiola’s City side, on the other hand, is used to this stage. This is their fifth Carabao Cup final in ten years under Guardiola. He’s won it four times before.
Guehi Out: EFL Rules Stand Firm
The big news isn’t just about City making it. It’s about who can’t play. Marc Guehi, a £20 million signing from Crystal Palace, won’t be on the pitch. He joined Manchester City after January 13, 2026. That date was the deadline for player registrations for the semifinal first leg.
The EFL rules are clear: if you weren’t registered by then, you can’t play in later ties, including the final.
City manager Pep Guardiola tried to fight it. He said after the Newcastle match, “Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup (EFL) that Marc can play the final. I don’t understand why he cannot play the final.” Goal.com reported Guardiola’s frustration.
He added, “I said to the club, they have to ask, definitely. Marc cannot play the second leg because he didn’t play the first. And Antoine arrived before the first so could play. And now it’s the final. Why should he not play? Why not? We pay his salary, he is our player.”
But the EFL stuck to its guns. Sky Sports News confirmed the league would reject City’s request. Rules are rules. Antoine Semenyo, another City signing, is eligible. He joined before the January 13 deadline. It just shows how tricky transfer windows can be with competition rules.
What This Means for Arsenal
So, Arsenal gets a boost. Not facing England defender Marc Guehi gives them a defensive matchup edge. City will miss that depth in their backline. Arsenal will like their chances more. The final promises to be a tense affair at Wembley.
Both finalists are also deep in other competitions. They’re fighting in the FA Cup, Champions League, and the Premier League title race. Guardiola himself acknowledged the quality of the opposition. He said facing ESPN,
“It’s a good thing to experience [a final] against maybe the best team in Europe…” He hopes his squad stays fit for March. This trophy would mean a lot for either side. Especially for Arsenal, ending that six-year final drought with a win. But they gotta beat City first, even without Guehi.
