Joe Cole has revealed his prediction for the Carabao Cup final between Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City.
The primary piece of silverware of the season will probably 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 succeed in the ultimate, while Man City overcame Carabao Cup holders Newcastle United within the semis.
Sunday’s showpiece event is especially intriguing because it involved the 2 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’ve won six titles over the past decade.
It has been suggested that the winner of the Carabao Cup final could have renewed momentum ahead of the title run-in and Cole ‘fancies’ Arsenal to beat Man City to each 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 very long time,’ Cole said on The Dressing Room podcast.
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‘I fancy Arsenal, I believe Arsenal beat them. Having watched Man City live, I fancy Arsenal – but it’s a fantastic game for the neutral.
‘I’ll make one other prediction, I believe there will probably be a little bit of needle and just a little little bit of nastiness on the benches. There’s numerous tension constructing at this point within the season so look out for that.’
Turning his attentions to the Premier League title race, Cole added: ‘I used to be doing the West Ham-Man City game and we’re within the tunnel, the City players are behind me and Arsenal just scored.
Who will win the Carabao Cup final?
‘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’s going to be six points, then if City beat Arsenal it’s going to be three points.
‘But City have got to beat Arsenal and I can’t see that. Do you realize what I mean?’
While Cole is backing Arsenal to secure their first major trophy since 2020, Wayne Bridge and Carlton Cole each expect Man City to triumph at Wembley.
‘I believe Man City win it,’ ex-West Ham striker Cole said. ‘They know it’s time, in the event that they lose this I believe they lose all hope of winning the league.
‘So they’re going to need to put this one to bed. I’m going with Man City.’
Bridge added: ‘I’m going to go along with Man City.
‘We all know it’s kind of virtually 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 motion, 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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