Wayne Rooney Criticizes Phil Foden's Cup Final Substitution Phil Foden’s stoppage-time appearance in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal drew criticism from former England captain Wayne Rooney, who likened the substitution to a “charity” gesture. The 25-year-old, who collected his 18th trophy as a City player, came on in the 90th minute to replace Rayan Cherki, a move that sparked debate about his limited role in recent matches. Foden had been omitted from City’s starting lineup in four of their past 13 games across all competitions, with players like Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, and Savinho preferred over him. His last goal came on 14 December, and he has since failed to find the net in 20 consecutive appearances. Despite the substitution in the final, Rooney suggested the decision felt like a token effort to give Foden playing time. Speaking on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United forward expressed mixed feelings. “I felt sad for him but not sad because he is coming on in a cup final,” Rooney said. “There was a game a few days ago when he didn’t even get on the pitch. If that was Max Dowman coming on at the end, you would think good experience. But to see Phil Foden coming on in a cup final, it felt like a charity sub to get him on the pitch.” Rooney questioned the lack of consistent opportunities for Foden, noting his recent form and status as a top player. “I don’t know what has happened, he is a top player. It feels strange he can’t get anywhere near the team. It feels like something has gone on there,” he added. “I thought Foden was in good form but all of a sudden we haven’t seen him get any minutes. Firstly he will be pleased they won the cup but from a selfish point of view, he would have wanted to be out there and having an influence.#manchester_city #rayan_cherki #wayne_rooney #carabao_cup_final #phil_foden
Arteta and Guardiola's Clash in Carabao Cup Final: Who Needs Victory Most? Arsenal and Manchester City’s battle for domestic supremacy reaches a pivotal moment as they face off in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. The match, set for a 16:30 GMT kick-off, carries added weight beyond its status as a cup final, with both clubs still in the FA Cup and locked in a fierce title race. Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, hold a nine-point lead in the Premier League and a place in the Champions League quarter-finals, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were eliminated from Europe’s elite competition for the third time in four seasons. The final could serve as a psychological battleground, with potential implications for their remaining fixtures, including a crucial league clash at Etihad Stadium in April and a possible FA Cup tie. Arteta’s Arsenal are seeking their first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup final, where they defeated Chelsea. Since then, the Gunners have struggled to break their cycle of near-misses, losing in the Europa League semi-final to Villarreal in 2021, EFL Cup semi-finals to Liverpool and Newcastle in 2022 and 2025, and the Champions League semi-final to Paris St-Germain last season. Guardiola, meanwhile, has dominated the trophy landscape, amassing the Champions League, four Premier League titles, the FA Cup, EFL Cup, and multiple international honors since taking over at City. The two managers have a history of clashes, with Guardiola winning 12 of their 16 meetings, including the 2023 Community Shield. Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson highlighted the urgency for Arteta to end his trophy drought, noting that the Gunners’ recent performances have been “nearly but not quite” successful. “Arteta needs it more because he needs to put some silverware in the trophy cabinet,” Upson said.#arsenal #mikel_arteta #pep_guardiola #manchester_city #carabao_cup_final
Carabao Cup Final: Arsenal and Manchester City Set for Clash on March 22 The Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City is set to take place on Sunday, March 22, with the match scheduled to kick off at 5:30 pm. The Gunners, who recently secured a Champions League victory by defeating Bayer Leverkusen, will face Guardiola’s Manchester City, which is aiming to recover from a disappointing double European exit against Real Madrid. For those unable to watch in person, the match will be broadcast live on television and streamed via the Cronache di Spogliatoio YouTube channel. Fans can tune in to catch the action as both teams prepare for a high-stakes encounter. The line-ups for both teams have been outlined as potential starting formations. Arsenal is expected to field a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Raya in goal and a defensive line featuring Mosquera, Saliba, Magalhães, and Hincapié. Midfielders Rice and Zubimendi will support the attacking trio of Saka, Eze, and Trossard, with Gyokeres as the lone striker. Manager Mikel Arteta will oversee the team’s strategy. Manchester City, meanwhile, is likely to adopt a similar 4-2-3-1 formation. Donnarumma will be in goal, with a backline of Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Khusanov, and Ait Nouri. The midfield trio of Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Foden will provide support for the attacking quartet of Cherki, Semenyo, and Haaland. Pep Guardiola will be in charge of the team’s tactics. The match will be commentary by Marco Cattaneo, with Gaetano D’Agostino serving as the second voice. The game promises to be a thrilling showdown between two of England’s top clubs, with both teams eager to claim the Carabao Cup title.#arsenal #mikel_arteta #pep_guardiola #manchester_city #carabao_cup_final
Carabao Cup Final: More Than Silverware at Stake Arsenal and Manchester City will face off in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday at Wembley, vying for their first major trophy of the season. The match, which has historically been a tense encounter in the Premier League, carries added weight beyond the trophy due to the clubs’ current positions in the league race. Arsenal, leading City by nine points with eight games remaining, are in a commanding position to secure the title, while City’s hopes of closing the gap depend on a decisive victory over their rivals. The rivalry between the two clubs has intensified in recent months, with Arsenal now top of the Premier League and City struggling to match their pace. A Carabao Cup win for City could serve as a psychological boost, potentially shaking Arsenal’s confidence and reigniting their own pursuit of silverware. Freddie Pye of City Xtra emphasized the potential impact of a Guardiola victory, noting how it could disrupt Arsenal’s momentum. Meanwhile, Arsenal fan Laura Kirk-Francis argued that a loss would not derail the Gunners’ title ambitions, as they remain in a strong position despite the setback. For Arsenal, a final victory would be a significant milestone. The club has not won a major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup and was defeated by City in the 2018 League Cup final. Kirk-Francis highlighted the symbolic value of overcoming City, calling it a “monumental” achievement for fans seeking revenge for past struggles. She also noted that a win could provide an extra edge in the title race, reinforcing Arsenal’s resilience and earning them the recognition they deserve. Even a loss, she argued, would not diminish their standing, as the team has shown remarkable consistency this season. Manchester City, however, face a more precarious situation.#arsenal #manchester_city #wembley #carabao_cup_final #freddie_pye
