Paul Merson Backs Arsenal for Historic Quadruple Ahead of Defining Carabao Cup Final Against Manchester City

Paul Merson predicts a 2-1 Arsenal win over Man City in the Carabao Cup final, claiming a historic quadruple is possible for Arteta's side.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 21, 2026, 5:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365.

The Quest for a Silverware Sweep at Wembley Stadium

Arsenal enters the weekend on the precipice of ending a significant trophy drought, with Paul Merson insisting that the club’s current momentum makes a four-trophy season "very much on." The Gunners are set to face perennial rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, a match Merson describes as the most pivotal fixture of the current campaign. According to his latest column for Sportskeeda, the psychological boost of a victory at Wembley would serve as the catalyst for Arsenal’s remaining pursuits in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. Merson noted that the squad currently possesses a "swagger" that stems from their consistent performances at the top of the domestic table throughout the 2025-2026 season.

Tactical Dilemmas and the Battle for the Starting XI

One of the most significant decisions facing Mikel Arteta ahead of the final involves a choice between goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and David Raya. While Merson acknowledged that Raya has displayed world-class form in recent matches against Everton and Leverkusen, he argued that Arteta should maintain his principles by starting Kepa, who has been the designated choice for the Carabao Cup. Beyond the goal, the pundit expects an attacking quartet featuring Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, and Leandro Trossard, supported by Eberechi Eze. Merson highlighted Eze's previous success at Wembley with Crystal Palace as a potential x-factor that could tilt the tactical balance in Arsenal’s favor against a resilient City defense.

Analyzing Manchester City’s Threat Under Pep Guardiola

Despite Manchester City’s recent struggles, including a challenging 10-man performance against Real Madrid, Merson warned that the Premier League leaders remain a lethal opponent in a cup final setting. He expects Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo to lead the line for City, though he questioned who would fill the third attacking role. Merson suggested that Jeremy Doku could be utilized as a high-impact substitute rather than a starter, noting that Rayan Cherki may not offer the same game-changing qualities off the bench. The former Arsenal midfielder emphasized that while City prefers a controlled, "dull" tempo, an end-to-end game would likely play into the hands of Guardiola’s clinical attackers.