City sweep aside Newcastle, but Arsenal outnumber them in a ruthless combined XI verdict

Manchester City may have powered their way into the Carabao Cup final with authority, but the aftermath of their semi-final triumph delivered an uncomfortable reality for the champions: Arsenal still hold the upper hand when it comes to star quality.

City booked their place at Wembley with a commanding 3-1 win over Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium, sealing a thumping 5-1 aggregate victory. The tie was effectively settled before half-time as City tore through their opponents with ruthless efficiency, sending a clear warning to anyone standing between them and silverware.

Omar Marmoush was at the heart of the destruction. The forward struck twice in the opening period, taking his season tally to four goals and leaving Newcastle reeling. Tijjani Reijnders added a third with a composed finish that underlined City’s dominance and turned the second leg into little more than a formality.

Newcastle offered a brief flicker of resistance after the break when Anthony Elanga pulled a goal back with his first strike for the club. But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished almost as soon as they surfaced. Having already lost 2-0 at St James’ Park, the visitors lacked the belief and cutting edge needed to trouble a side operating in full control.

For City, the performance was a statement. Calm, clinical and relentless, they looked every inch a team built for finals. Yet despite the emphatic nature of the win, the conversation quickly shifted away from the scoreline and towards what lies ahead.

The Carabao Cup final will pit City against Arsenal in what promises to be a fiercely contested Wembley showdown on March 22. The two sides are already locked in a tense Premier League title race, with Arsenal currently holding a six-point advantage at the top of the table. Recent history has favoured City, who have edged out their rivals in two of the last three league title battles, often by the narrowest of margins.

Arsenal earned their place in the final a night earlier, seeing off Chelsea with a 1-0 win in the second leg to progress 4-2 on aggregate. Unlike City’s demolition job, their path was harder fought, but no less effective.

What followed raised eyebrows across the football world. Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew unveiled a combined XI from the two finalists, and despite City’s convincing semi-final display, only three of their players made the cut. The rest of the team was dominated by Arsenal names, a verdict that landed as a pointed reminder of how highly the Gunners’ squad is currently rated.

The selection sent a stark message. While City may have the trophies and the pedigree, Arsenal are being seen as the side with greater balance, hunger and individual brilliance across the pitch. For a club accustomed to setting the benchmark, being outnumbered in such a combined lineup was a rare and sobering moment.

As Wembley approaches, the narrative is sharpening. City arrive with momentum, confidence and a reputation for delivering on the biggest stages. Arsenal arrive with belief, depth and the sense that this time, they may finally have the edge.

One thing is certain: the Carabao Cup final will be more than a battle for silverware. It will be another chapter in a rivalry that is defining English football, where dominance is never guaranteed, and even the most emphatic victories can be overshadowed by what comes next.