Pep Guardiola has delivered an update on Erling Haaland’s availability amid questions over whether the striker will start for Manchester City against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
City’s frontman started the season in blistering goal-scoring form but his output has tailed off in recent months, with Tuesday’s consolation effort in the Champions League defeat against Real Madrid just his fifth goal in 18 appearances.
Haaland was lively that night at the Etihad, registering five shots on target, and probably did not expect to see his number go up on the fourth official’s board before the hour mark with City still aiming to close a three-goal aggregate deficit at that stage.
Guardiola said at full-time that his decision to withdraw Haaland early in favour of Omar Marmoush was not due to an injury, but it hasn’t stopped speculation that the 25-year-old could play a limited role in Sunday’s showdown at Wembley - especially given the Norwegian has unexpectedly missed league and cup games recently.
With other line-leading options at his disposal, including Marmoush and January signing Antoine Semenyo, Guardiola was asked at his pre-match press conference on Friday about the availability and focus of his number nine.
“I’m pretty sure he’s focused, like all of us,” said the City boss.
“I didn’t speak with him, we had two days off [after the Real Madrid game], but I’m pretty sure he’s ready.”
His comments suggest Haaland, still believed to be firmly first choice in the frontline department, will start up top against the Gunners to compete for this season’s first piece of major silverware.
Guardiola added that it was both “an honour” and “a big challenge” to return to Wembley and take on an “exceptional” Arsenal team, who are favourites to win their first of a potential four trophies in 2025/26.
Sunday will mark City’s first match at Wembley since their FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace last May and the club’s first appearance in a Carabao Cup final since 2021, their last of four successive victories in this competition.
