Arsenal vs Manchester City – EFL Cup final at Wembley LIVE!
Follow all the action from the first final of the season
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The season’s first piece of silverware is up for grabs at Wembley Stadium today, as Premier League table toppers Manchester City take on FA Cup holders Arsenal in an eagerly anticipated EFL Cup final.
Both sides have named their strongest possible sides as they look to enter the business end of the season with a cup win – although David Ospina does start in goal for Arsenal ahead of their usual number one, Petr Cech.
You can be sure both Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger will be desperate to win at Wembley today, especially as neither has won the League Cup before. Guardiola is still waiting on his first trophy as City boss, while Wenger has won three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and seven Community Shields – but no League Cup.
Follow all of the live action below.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City
5: Granit Xhaka loses possession to Sergio Aguero on the edge of the box. He dances his way through the box but runs the ball out for a goal kick. Not the best place or person to lose the ball to, Mr Xhaka.
Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City
"Arsenal need to put some passes together, they need to get the ball. If they want to sit and defend this City team will open them up." - Gary Neville on Sky Sports.
Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City
8: What a chance for Arsenal. Mesut Ozil receives the ball in space on the right side of the box. After getting behind the City defence he squares to to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who is just beaten to the ball by Kyle Walker in front of goal. Walker's touch is goal-bound but Claudio Bravo spreads himself well to keep the ball out.
Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City
12: Nacho Monreal goes down in the box. Arsenal fans say penalty, City players say dive. He flicks the ball over Vincent Kompany then falls to the ground but gets straight back to his feet. There was no contact and the referee, Craig Pawson, says no penalty.
Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City
14: Arsenal are enjoying a spell of possession as they begin to assert themselves in this final.
Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City
Sergio Aguero
18: From a goal kick, one long pass through the middle of the pitch is bounces over Shkodran Mustafi after being nudged by Sergio Aguero. Aguero is through on goal and chips Daivd Ospina to open the scoring. Mustafi wants a free kick but in truth, his defending was beyond terrible.
Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City
"Pathetic defending" says Gary Neville on Sky Sports and you have to agree with him.
Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City
23: Another long ball forward causes more problems for the Arsenal defence. Hector Bellerin misreads the ball and is beaten to it by Kevin De Bruyne. The full back pulls him back and gives away a free kick around 40 yards from the goal.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments