A highly anticipated football battle is set to decide the first title of the season in England

English football fans are eagerly anticipating a fiery clash between Arsenal and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, where the two Premier League leaders will compete for the first major trophy of the 2025-2026 season. The match between the Citizens and the Gunners is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, with kickoff time to be announced later. The game will be played at Wembley Stadium in London. The London side secured their place in the final after defeating Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. This marks Arsenal's first major domestic final since August 2020, when they won the FA Cup, also against Chelsea. That FA Cup victory remains the only major trophy won by Spanish manager Mikel Arteta since taking charge of the team . Meanwhile, City qualified for the final after a strong performance against defending champions Newcastle United, defeating them 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals. This continues the Sky Blues' impressive run in the competition, a title they have consistently challenged for in recent years under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola . This final is a rematch of the 2018 final, which saw Manchester City triumph over Arsenal 3-0 in a match still fresh in the minds of both sets of fans. Mikel Arteta's men will be looking to avenge that defeat and end their long wait for silverware, while City aim to maintain their dominance in the competition and further enhance their illustrious record . Historically, the Gunners hold a slight edge, having won 101 matches compared to City's 65, with 48 matches ending in a draw. This reflects the intense rivalry and fierce competition between the two giants over the years. The match carries added significance, not only for deciding the League Cup title, but also for the substantial morale boost it could provide in the race for the Premier League title, given the fierce competition between the two teams this season. With Manchester City's vast experience in the tournament and Arsenal's ambition to recapture past glories, the Wembley clash appears wide open and is poised to be one of the most exciting matches of the English football season.