Manchester City will be hoping to put last Monday’s FA Cup woes behind them as they head for Carabao Cup glory at Wembley on Sunday.
Both Pep Guardiola’s side and their opponents Arsenal go into the clash on the back of a bad week results-wise.
City’s dream of a quadruple came to an abrupt end at Wigan on Monday night while the Gunners go into the fixture having also lost in midweek, to Swedish team Ostersund in the second leg of their last 16 Europa League tie.
Arsene Wenger has an astounding record at Wembley, particularly in recent seasons.
Arsenal have won three of the last four FA Cups, including last year’s final against Guardiola’s side, and he will be hoping that his January recruits Pierre Emerick-Aubamayang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan can shine against a Manchester City side who, despite their cup defeat, look frighteningly good.
And Guardiola is keen to move on from their defeat the DW.
He said: “You have to try not to have regrets. Against Wigan we did not have regrets. We are a young team, we can learn.
“Finals are special, but to be there you have to win the quarter-finals, semi-finals.
“But the final belongs to the players, how brave you are, the courage you play these kinds of games. Don’t have regrets after the game.
“We will try to do what we have done this season on Sunday and after that we have six games to win to be champions and win the most prestigious title in this country.”
Opposite number Wenger, in his press conference, singled out De Bruyne as Manchester City’s standout player.
He said: “He is a modern midfielder for me, he can be decisive in the final third.
“He works very hard; he is right footed, left footed, a fighter as well. Overall, I am not surprised [by his performances].
“They have so many players that you could think about how to stop that it is better you focus on the team plan rather than any individual.”
In terms of lineups and injury updates, Arsenal are likely to start with Ospina in goal as he has featured throughout their cup campaign while midfield duo Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil will undergo late fitness tests before the game.
It is also expected that their new recruits Mkhitaryan and Aubamayang will start the final.
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus is expected to be named on the bench after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, and Raheem Sterling will be assessed before the match.
Manchester City vs Arsenal takes place at 4.30pm tomorrow.
