Arsenal or Man City? Joe Cole makes Carabao Cup final prediction

Joe Cole has revealed his prediction for the Carabao Cup final between Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City.

The first piece of silverware of the season will be won on Sunday when Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola’s sides meet at Wembley.

Arsenal beat London rivals Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate to reach the final, while Man City overcame Carabao Cup holders Newcastle United in the semis.

Sunday’s showpiece event is particularly intriguing as it involved the two teams going for this season’s Premier League title.

Arsenal, who last won the Premier League in 2004, have opened up a nine-point lead over Manchester City, who have won six titles over the past decade.

It has been suggested that the winner of the Carabao Cup final will have renewed momentum ahead of the title run-in and Cole ‘fancies’ Arsenal to beat Man City to both trophies.

‘I’m not working on the Carabao Cup final but I’m going as a fan which I actually haven’t done for a long time,’ Cole said on The Dressing Room podcast.

‘I fancy Arsenal, I think Arsenal beat them. Having watched Man City live, I fancy Arsenal – but it’s a great game for the neutral.

‘I’ll make another prediction, I think there will be a bit of needle and a little bit of nastiness on the benches. There’s a lot of tension building at this point in the season so look out for that.’

Turning his attentions to the Premier League title race, Cole added: ‘I was doing the West Ham-Man City game and we’re in the tunnel, the City players are behind me and Arsenal just scored.

‘I’ve been in that situation when you’re waiting on a result and it does deflate you. I just can’t see Arsenal dropping that many points now.

‘If Man City win their game in hand it will be six points, then if City beat Arsenal it will be three points.

‘But City have got to beat Arsenal and I can’t see that. Do you know what I mean?’

While Cole is backing Arsenal to secure their first major trophy since 2020, Wayne Bridge and Carlton Cole both expect Man City to triumph at Wembley.

‘I think Man City win it,’ ex-West Ham striker Cole said. ‘They know it’s time, if they lose this I think they lose all hope of winning the league.

‘So they’re going to have to put this one to bed. I’m going with Man City.’

Bridge added: ‘I’m going to go with Man City.

‘We know it’s kind of almost over with the league but them getting a win here puts a bit more pressure on Arsenal. I’m living in hope.’

Before attentions turn fully to this weekend’s Carabao Cup final, Arsenal and Manchester City are in Champions League action, facing Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid respectively.

The Gunners drew 1-1 in Germany last week while Man City were thumped 3-0 in Spain ahead of the decisive second legs in England.

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