Manchester City are three minutes of stoppage-time away from lifting their first trophy of the season, and likely not their last. The City supporters are making plenty of noise, waving their white and sky-blue flags, while the Arsenal fans have already mostly funneled out of the stadium.
89'
P. Foden enters the game and replaces S. Agüero.
Phil Foden gets a little run out here as he replaces Aguero, who goes off to a standing ovation, for the final minutes.
88'
J. Wilshere gets yellow.
Jack Wilshere becomes the sixth player booked on the afternoon - the fourth for Arsenal.
86'
Well this result will once again add fuel to the fire that is the conversation surrounding Wenger's future. Unless they win the Europa League, it's hard to envision Arsenal taking any positives out of this campaign, which could well be the 22nd and final one for Wenger at the helm.
84'
Tempers flairing here! Jesus gets in the way of Wilshere to prevent him from quickly taking a free-kick, and the Arsenal midfielder takes exception, shoving the striker away with some force after the two went face-to-face. That should be a yellow for Jesus. You can't stand in front of someone looking to take a free-kick quickly like that.
83'
City have just got the likes of Sane and Jesus back from injury, but may have lost Fernandinho earlier today, and now Walker is on the ground in need of attention. The schedule isn't getting any lighter for Pep Guardiola's side going forward, especially if they are to continue on in the Champions League, so staying healthy is of the utmost importance.
81'
City are losing their focus a bit as they don't look all that interested in finishing this match off - something they've already done in a way. They fall asleep at the back to allow Iwobi through, but Bravo is very alert to come off his line and bail them out.
80'
V. Kompany gets yellow.
A yellow card for the City skipper as Kompany goes into the book for a poorly timed challenge on Welbeck.
79'
STAT: Arsenal have conceded 3+ goals at Wembley for the first time since October 1999 (2-4 v Barcelona in the Champions League).
Minute
Description
77'
Gabriel Jesus enters the game and replaces L. Sané.
A second change for Manchester City sees Gabriel Jesus make his much-anticipated return following a lengthy injury layoff, replacing Sane. That's a sight for sore eyes if you're a City supporter.
75'
Well City lead by 13 points at the Premier League summit, with a game in hand, and are 15 minutes away from lifting the EFL Cup. Betting against them winning the domestic double would be a fool's errand. The questions now is whether they can add to that with a run at the Champions League.
73'
A. Iwobi enters the game and replaces A. Ramsey.
Arsenal's final change sees Alex Iwobi replace Ramsey.
71'
Arsenal have given up - you can see it in the demeanor of Ozil, who drops his head and begins a slow walk back after giving the ball away in attack. Even if Arsenal do find a goal in the next few minutes, which doesn't look likely at the moment, it's still hard to envision them mounting a comeback in the final 20 minutes.
69'
STAT: Pep Guardiola has triumphed in six of his previous seven major domestic and European finals, losing only to Real Madrid with Barcelona in the 2011 Copa Del Rey final.
67'
This is turning into a nightmare for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners. The French manager is headed towards another final defeat in the EFL Cup, the lone domestic competition he has not won in his 22 seasons with Arsenal.
65'
David Silva has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by Danilo.
D. Welbeck enters the game and replaces C. Chambers.
SURELY THAT'S CURTAINS FOR ARSENAL! City are well on their way to a third EFL Cup title in the last five years as David Silva does brilliantly to pick out the far corner from a difficult angle after being played through by Danilo.
Danilo provides the assist.
A complete tactical change from Arsenal, as Wenger is left with little choice. Danny Welbeck comes on here, replacing Chambers.
64'
City are sucking the life out of the match in possession, lulling Arsenal to sleep as they pass it around at the back. In typical style, they see an opening and go from back foot to front in a flash, but Sane's cross can't find a way through to Aguero.
62'
Arsenal have to start taking some chances now. Wenger does have some options to turn to off the bench in Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck, but how much longer can he wait? The City supporters are doing the Poznan behind the Arsenal goal, sensing they're well on their way to the first title of the season.
60'
STAT: Arsene Wenger has won just three of his previous 12 managerial meetings with Pep Guardiola, drawing three and losing six.
58'
V. Kompany has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by İ. Gündoğan.
Hard to tell if that was a shot or a low, diagonal cross from Gundogan, but it was the perfect hit nonetheless as he provides the assist.
CITY HAVE A HAND ON THE TROPHY! Another Mustafi error as he lets the ball bounce from De Bruyne's free-kick which helps City keep the pressure on, before Kompany wins a corner. The centre-half then slots home from the ensuing set-piece to double his side's lead, showing sensational reactions to deflect Gundogan's strike in at the near post, leaving Ospina with no chance!
56'
A needless challenge from Mustafi into the back of Sane, and that awards City a free-kick in a very dangerous position on the edge of the penalty area. The attacker had his back turned to goal as he tried to take a pass off his chest, really highlighting the unnecessary nature of that from Mustafi.
54'
Near disaster for City! Like Aguero's opener, this is a route one ball over the top from Bellerin for Aubameyang to chase. Bravo comes sprinting off his line and completely whiffs on his attempt to clear, but the Arsenal striker is unable to pounce, fouling Bravo as he tried to run onto the ball as the chance goes begging.
52'
Bernardo Silva enters the game and replaces Fernandinho.
This might be a big blow for City as Fernandinho is in obvious pain before going to ground and calling the training staff out. At the risk of speculating, it looks like it might be a hamstring problem for the midfielder. Bernardo Silva strips off his tracksuit in a hurry and comes on to replace him without a hint of a warmup.
50'
An excellent start to this second half from Manchester City as they're piling on the pressure. The way Arsenal have struggled to attack, a second goal might make the task too big for them. The Gunners are really lacking a true link between midfield and attack.
48'
AGONISINGLY WIDE! A City corner is eventually worked into the path of Kompany atop the penalty area, and his drive is deflected no more than an inch wide of the near post by Koscielny! Ospina was scrambling across, but I'm not sure he would have got there.
47'
C. Chambers gets yellow.
A very early yellow card shown to Arsenal's Calum Chambers as he loses position on Aguero and tugs back the arm of the striker to prevent him from breaking forward into space.
46'
Manchester City get the second half underway at Wembley Stadium, attacking the goal which their supporters are sat behind.
45' +2
HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY.
45'
There will be two minutes added on at the end of this first half - still time for some late drama.
44'
Not long to go until half-time now, and Wenger's tactical prowess will be tested. What sort of changes will the Arsenal manager make at the interval to improve their attacking presence without compromising their shape in defence? He's already down a substitution because of the Monreal injury, remember.
42'
Wilshere gives chase in attack and he goes down appealing for a foul on Fernandinho. It's a good decision from referee Craig Pawson to wave play on, as that would have been harsh on the Brazilian, who is also already on a yellow remember.
40'
City are having more success getting into the dangerous areas in the final third. They pose a decent threat here to double their lead, but Aguero's effort stays out before De Bruyne's follow-up crashes into the side-netting.
38'
STAT: Sergio Aguero has now scored in each of his last five appearances against Arsenal in all competitions, only the third time has he netted in five consecutive games for Manchester City against a single opponent.
36'
Fernandinho gets yellow.
Fernandinho is shown a yellow card, the first booking for a City player in this final, for a high boot.
34'
City looking very comfortable both on and off the ball. Arsenal aren't packing much of a punch in possession, having very little success trying to venture forward. They're not winning it back with as much intensity, either. This is a stale period they need to try and get through unscathed.
32'
A. Ramsey gets yellow.
A second booking for an Arsenal player as Ramsey dangerously catches David Silva with an arm to the face. The yellow is a fair decision, but those have been given worse.
30'
Chances have proven hard to come by in this first half. City have not made much of their time in possession, which is a testament to the way Arsenal have defended, but they are able to carve out a decent chance here from a Gundogan cross, though Kompany lifts a header over the bar.
28'
STAT: Arsenal have scored just six goals in the EFL Cup this season, the lowest tally of any team to reach the final in the competition’s history.
26'
S. Kolašinac enters the game and replaces Nacho Monreal.
Monreal has been suffering after picking up a knock, and after trying to play on he's finally forced to succumb to it. Sead Kolasinac is brought on to replace him - a straight swap on the left flank.
24'
Héctor Bellerín gets yellow.
Bellerin becomes the first player booked in the final as he's shown yellow for a cynical tug of De Bruyne.
Another set-piece opportunity for the Gunners as City's foul count continues to rise. This one comes just off to the left, and Ramsey takes instead of Ozil, driving a strike at goal, but it's a simple save for Bravo in the end.
22'
Arsenal's great defensive work thus far has been undone by one simple ball over the top and a soft bit of play from Mustafi. The centre-half cannot be shielded off that easily. He has to take up a better position and not let Aguero in behind so simply like he did.
20'
STAT: This is the first ever meeting between these sides in a major final. Arsenal have won both previous meetings with Man City at Wembley – 3-0 in the 2014 Community Shield, and 2-1 in last season’s FA Cup semi-final.
18'
S. Agüero has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by C. Bravo.
Claudio Bravo - yes, the City goalkeeper - provides the assist.
CITY HAVE LIFT-OFF AT WEMBLEY! It's route one football from the Premier League leaders! Bravo's goal-kick sails over the top and Aguero is able to shield off Mustafi before running onto the end of it and chipping a wonderfully delicate finish beyond Ospina!
17'
Another Arsenal free-kick, this one a bit farther out, but again on that right flank. Ozil delivers a teasing ball this time over the top, but again the high line from City works wonders as the delivery winds up running harmlessly behind.
16'
This is a very good spell from the Gunners, who have been able to stay in the City half. It's the high pressure that is preventing City from working their way into attack, and their supporters are just starting to grow a little restless. This hasn't been a vintage Man City performance.
14'
Arsenal win a free-kick in an advanced area with the chance to whip in a cross, but City keep a very high line - about five yards outside the penalty area. That works to their advantage as Ozil is forced to play in a shallow cross which is cleared with relative ease.
12'
Neither side really holds the edge through 10 minutes. City have enjoyed more possession and spent much more time in attack, but it's Arsenal who have had the game's best chance. It's definitely been a lively start to the match as both sides have shown good intensity.
10'
STAT: This is Arsenal’s eighth EFL Cup final – they’ve lost more than any other side in the history of the competition (5), winning the tournament twice in 1987 and 1993.
8'
AUBAMEYANG MISSES A SITTER! It's the first attack of the match from the Gunners, as Wilshere does really well to win the ball and play in Ozil. The Germany international squares across the face of goal for Aubameyang, who has the goal at his mercy, but he sends the ball straight at Bravo!
7'
A sloppy attempt to play out from the back sees Arsenal put themselves under unnecessary pressure. Sane picks out Aguero, who does expertly to dribble his way into the penalty area beyond a few defenders, but he bites off more than he can chew in the end as the chance comes to nothing.
5'
Arsenal are content letting City play on the ball, but they have a very good defensive shape, at least early on. Because of the threat the Citizens pose, it's already looking like more of a back five for the Gunners than a back three, though.
3'
An early chance falls to City as pressure stays on following a corner, but Ramsey does well to block Sane's effort at the near post. That results in another set-piece opportunity for the Premier League leaders, but Arsenal this time are much more convincing in dealing with the threat.
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF! Arsenal get the 2018 EFL Cup final is underway at Wembley, in their red tops with white trim, attacking left to right, with City in their sky blue.
The 2018 final is very much a tale of two antithetical clubs – Manchester City, enjoying an indelible campaign under Pep Guardiola, and Arsenal, continuing their tailspin under lame duck manager Arsene Wenger.
The 2017/18 season has all the makings of a historic one for Manchester City. Dreams of the quadruple were dashed by Wigan in the FA Cup last week, but the domestic double is a stone’s throw away, while the treble remains a distinct possibility.
Fancy a final? You came to the right place! Hello and welcome to elegant Wembley Stadium for live coverage of the EFL Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City!
Pep Guardiola’s side have the Premier League title firmly in their grasp as their sights shift today to the EFL Cup – a competition they have won twice in the last four seasons – as they look to cap this near-flawless campaign with its first trophy.
This is a match City need, because nothing can spoil a good season more than a lack of trophies. The Premier League should be theirs, but anything less than two trophies in 2017/18 would have to be considered a disappointment. That being said, Arsenal come into the final as the more desperate club.
A top-four finish seems a stretch for the Gunners, they’re out of the FA Cup, and a daunting task lays ahead in the Europa League. If they’re going to win a trophy this season – or even qualify for Europe – this figures to be their best opportunity.
It’s also a competition Arsene Wenger – in his 22nd season as Arsenal manager – has never won. The Frenchman has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield a combined 17 times – the EFL Cup is all that’s missing from his cabinet.
Wenger has never really needed to win the competition to bolster his resume, but with his future at the helm in doubt, today’s result could go a long way in determining whether or not he stays beyond the end of the season.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Bravo; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Danilo; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Gundogan; D. Silva, Sane, Aguero.
SUBS: Stones, Laporte, B. Silva, Ederson, Jesus, Zinchenko, Foden.
Arsene Wenger surprisingly reverts to a back three, with out of form Callum Chambers joining Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny. Not surprisingly, it's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who leads the line, flanked by Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil. Wing-backs Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin will provide support, while Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka anchor midfield.
The big note for Manchester City is the absence of Raheem Sterling, who has not recovered in time from a hamstring injury picked up against Basel. David Silva starts on the flank instead, joining Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane, while Gabriel Jesus returns to the bench following a 12-match absence. Pep Guardiola has opted to go with experience at the back with Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi starting ahead of John Stones and Aymeric Laporte. Danilo is preferred at left-back, while Claudio Bravo remains their first-choice keeper in the EFL Cup.
It's Manchester City who lead at the break thanks to Sergio Aguero's 30th goal of the season - a strike that came from nothing for the Premier League leaders. Arsene Wenger will feel the scoreline is unwarranted as Arsenal have defended excellently through 45 minutes, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed an early sitter - though the Gunners didn't offer much else going forward.
Manchester City cruise to a first title in this indelible campaign, as they runaway Premier League leaders are halfway towards completing the domestic double. It's a first trophy in English football for Pep Guardiola, whose side were not made to work very hard against an Arsenal side that were far from impressive.
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Sergio Aguero opened the scoring for City in the first half, his 30th goal of the campaign across all competitions, before Vincent Kompany and David Silva put the game to bed midway through the second half, as City hardly broke a sweat en route to winning their third EFL Cup title in five seasons.
Commentary
More…