Kick-off time: The Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City takes place at Wembley Stadium. The match is scheduled for a late afternoon kick-off at 4.30pm, serving as the centrepiece of the English domestic football calendar this weekend.

Extra time: Unlike the earlier rounds of the competition, where matches went straight to penalties, the final will utilise extra time. If the score remains level after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods will be played.

Penalty shootout: If the two teams cannot be separated after 120 minutes of play, the winner will be decided by a standard penalty shootout. Both clubs have experienced final heartbreak and victory via this method in past years, making it a high-pressure proposition.

VAR rules: Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be in full operation for the final at Wembley. Officials will use the system to review "clear and obvious errors" in four match-changing scenarios: goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, and mistaken identity.

Substitution rules: Managers may make up to five substitutions during the initial 90 minutes. In a boost to both, if the match goes into extra time, each team is granted one additional sixth substitution to help manage player fatigue.

Marc Guehi's ban: Man City will be without Marc Guehi. The defender is ineligible because he is cup-tied. Having already represented Crystal Palace in this year's Carabao Cup, EFL rules prevent him from playing for a second club in the same edition.

Concussion Substitutes: In addition to standard tactical changes, concussion subs are available. If a player suffers a suspected head injury, they can be replaced without it counting towards the team's five (or six) tactical substitutions, ensuring player safety remains a primary priority during the game.

Trophy Stakes: The winner will be crowned the 2025-26 Carabao Cup winners, securing the first major domestic trophy of the English season. Beyond the silverware, the victorious side also earns £100,000 in prize money and a guaranteed spot in next season's UEFA Conference League play-off round.