The winger has a hamstring problem and is likely to miss both matches against Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Manchester City have been dealt a fresh injury blow just a few hours ahead of their Carabao Cup final showdown with Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
The runaway Premier League leaders will have to take on the Gunners without in-form winger Raheem Sterling, who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury picked up against Basel.
Sterling has been enjoying the most prolific season of his career, though The Times report that he will miss Sunday’s match as well as Thursday’s repeat fixture in the Premier League.
Sterling picked up the problem against Basel and is now fighting to be fit to face Chelsea (Getty)
Sterling sustained the problem 10 days ago and has not trained all week, and is now targeting a return against Chelsea next Sunday instead.
City and Arsenal face off a second time in just five days on Thursday in the league, though Pep Guardiola did receive some good news after Gabriel Jesus returned to fitness.
The Brazilian has been absent since sustaining knee ligament damage at the very end of December, but has been back in full training all week.
Jesus is expected to make the bench at Wembley and is in contention to start Thursday’s match, with top scorer Sergio Aguero leading the line in the Carabao Cup final.
Guardiola does, however, have striker Gabriel Jesus fit and available once again (Picture: Getty)
Guardiola is believed to have made a very late call on whether to include Sterling in his matchday squad and had been desperate to have him available for the contest.
The England international already has 20 goals this season in all competitions, though he has travelled to London with the rest of the squad to watch his teammates in action.
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Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey have been passed fit (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal duo Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey have been passed fit to start for the Gunners in their Carabao Cup final clash with Manchester City at Wembley.
The German missed three training sessions this week with illness and Arsene Wenger said he had to ‘prove’ his fitness to start against Pep Guardiola’s men.
Wenger can become just the seventh manager in English football history to complete a full set of domestic trophies with a victory against City today and Arsenal have a fantastic record at the new Wembley.
Ozil lines up in what appears to be a 3-4-3 with Calum Chambers, Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi in a back three.
Raheem Sterling missed City’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Wigan on Monday with a hamstring injury and the England international has failed to shake off the knock.
Guardiola’s opted for a three-man midfield of Kevin De Bruyne, IIkay Gundogan and Fernandinho with David Silva possible further forward.
How we line-up at Wembley! 🙌 City XI | Bravo, Walker, Kompany (c), Otamendi, Danilo, Fernandinho, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Sane, Aguero Subs | Ederson, Stones, Laporte, Bernardo, Zinchenko, Foden, Jesus Presented by @haysworldwide #mancity pic.twitter.com/LRa9Yu9ePf — Manchester City (@ManCity) February 25, 2018
Gabriel Jesus takes a place back on City’s bench after a two-month spell out with a knee injury.
Guardiola’s opted for Danilo at left-back with Fabian Delph missing out through suspension after his red card against Wigan on Monday.
Claudio Bravo, City’s designated goalkeeper in the League Cup, keeps his place ahead of Ederson.
City face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Here are eight observations ahead of the eagerly-awaited clash...
1 The chosen XI
Walking out at Wembley… it’s the content of many a footballers’ dream – but who will receive the nod on Sunday afternoon?
Pep Guardiola has already confirmed Claudio Bravo is set to start between the sticks. Who will sport the famous sky blue in front of him?
The City boss revealed Gabriel Jesus is in contention, having been sidelined since New Year’s Eve with medial collateral ligament damage. Will he earn a recall to the starting XI? Or will Sergio Aguero be handed the chance to edge closer to another Club milestone of a double century?
On the subject of milestones, Fernandinho could make his 200th start for the Blues in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling is doubtful with a hamstring injury and Fabian Delph is suspended, following his red card in the FA Cup clash at Wigan… So who will occupy the left-back and wing spots?
Think you know? Come Sunday, you can cast your predictions for the line-up, along with the result and scorers in the CityMatchday app.
READ: Bernardo Silva’s growing influence
Features Video City's road to Wembley View original post
2 Gunning for them
Arsene Wenger rotated his squad for Thursday night’s Europa League visit of Ostersunds, handing rests to several of his key men ahead of Sunday’s game.
Striker Alexandre Lacazette is sidelined with a knee injury, while Mesut Ozil (illness) and Aaron Ramsey (groin) face late fitness tests, having missed out on the midweek encounter.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is cup-tied so Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be identified as the dangerman. David Ospina will play in goal in place of Petr Cech.
READ: John Cross’ expert view
3 Response required
Both sides suffered defeat in midweek – City at Wigan and Arsenal at home in the Europa League – and will be seeking an immediate reaction. What better time or place to achieve it?
Of course, the Gunners’ defeat proved less detrimental than City’s, as Wenger’s men had already gained a significant lead from their first leg tie in Sweden and progressed to the next round on aggregate, but they will be no less fired up to seek an immediate return to winning ways.
4 Lift off?
Guardiola is certainly no stranger to the pressure and excitement of cup finals.
This is his first with City, although he did lead the Blues at Wembley as City and Arsenal locked horns in last season’s FA Cup semi-final.
The Gunners emerged victorious that day, courtesy of an extra-time Alexis Sanchez strike.
Interviews Video Guardiola: Bravo deserves Cup Final spot View original post
5 VAR-City
City will experience a first taste of VAR (the video assistant referee), which will make its English cup final debut.
All eyes on the big screens, should a moment of controversy arise. Supporters will be informed with a graphic to be broadcast when a review call is under way.
Arsenal are already familiar with the system, as it was employed in their semi-final clashes with Chelsea.
Neil Swarbrick occupies the VAR role to advise referee Craig Pawson.
6 Numbers game
City have lifted the League Cup trophy on four occasions – 1970, 1976, 2014 and 2016 – while Arsenal have won it twice (in 1987 and 1993).
The two sides have met seven times in total in the competition. Of those meetings, the Blues have won just one, losing five and drawing the other.
While our record against the Gunners has improved in recent years, we have claimed victory in just two of our last ten encounters. However, that did include November’s 3-1 triumph last time out.
READ: League Cup stats
Interviews Video Booth & Tueart reflect on League Cup finals past View original post
7 Paying the penalty?
City's route to the final heralded plenty of drama. Since the third round victory at West Brom, the Blues have triumphed via two penalty shoot-outs – Bravo the hero – and a thrilling 5-3 aggregate win over Bristol City.
Should penalties be required once more, Bravo will take heart from his previous endeavours and draw inspiration from Willy Caballero’s heroics on the very same turf in the 2016 League Cup success.
8 You again!
City and Arsenal will do battle again on Thursday night in the rearranged Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Who will be out for revenge and who will boast the bragging rights? We’ll find out on Sunday evening…
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Pep Guardiola wants his Manchester City players to go into the Carabao Cup final knowing they are a success.
The Blues are looking for their first trophy of the season on Sunday, and go into the game on the back of a shock FA Cup exit to Wigan on Monday.
Having dropped out of the running for silverware last season, Wembley will be new ground for the young team that Guardiola has brought together even if individuals have played there before.
Before the first whistle, the City manager wants his players to make sure they enjoy the game rather than worry about it.
"In the first finals you are more nervous than the next one," he said.
"What I try to say to the players is try to play more like a friendly game to be more calm.
"But also there has to be more courage. It’s more chance, there is a chance, go and that’s all.
"Tomorrow we are going to try again. I think it’s a game we have to try to enjoy the most, it’s a final.
"We are here to play these types of game - why be nervous, why worry about win win win?
"It’s just a game. No regrets after the game. It’s too late for ‘I didn’t do what I should do’ because it’s a final.
"It’s good for our fans and the fans of Arsenal to be there and it’s a success already to be there.
"Now to try to win."
