City at the disadvantage as EFL rule changes gives Arsenal edge ahead of EFL Cup final

Arsenal have been handed a significant boost ahead of the 2026 Carabao Cup final after the EFL rejected Manchester City’s request to make January signing Marc Guehi eligible for the showpiece at Wembley. 

The England centre-back will remain unavailable for domestic cup duty, leaving Pep Guardiola without one of his newest defensive options for the clash with the Premier League leaders.

Guehi joined City from Crystal Palace on January 19 in a £20 million deal, despite being set to become a free agent in the summer. 

However, the transfer was completed after City had already established a 2-0 first-leg advantage over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, a timing that ultimately proved decisive under EFL regulations.

Competition rules state that a player cannot represent two clubs in the tournament if their move to a new side is completed after the first leg of the semi-final stage. 

As a result, Guehi was ineligible for City’s 3-1 second-leg win over Newcastle at the Etihad, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory and booked Guardiola’s side a place in another final.

City had hoped the EFL would reconsider its stance before the final against Arsenal, scheduled for March 22.

Guardiola openly questioned the logic of the rule, arguing that it made little sense for a player under contract and on the club’s payroll to be barred from a major final. 

He contrasted Guehi’s situation with that of fellow January arrival Antoine Semenyo, who joined earlier in the window and remains eligible.

Despite those appeals, the EFL has confirmed that there will be no rule change. 

While regulations were adjusted this season to allow players to feature for two clubs in the competition, it was clearly stipulated that any transfer must be completed before the semi-final first leg to ensure eligibility for later rounds.

The decision leaves City short of options at centre-back, with John Stones and Josko Gvardiol currently sidelined by injury. 

There is, however, some optimism that Ruben Dias could return in time to bolster Guardiola’s defence, potentially featuring in the Premier League against Liverpool and putting himself in contention for the Wembley showdown against Arsenal.