Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the EFL Cup final showdown between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. The first piece of silverware in the English domestic season is up for grabs in the capital this afternoon, in what is the maiden meeting between these heavyweight clubs in a major final. Something has to give as Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola come face-to-face.

City have triumphed twice in this competition in the last four years, while lifting the trophy four times overall. Arsenal, by comparison, have not fared well down the years having lifted it on just two previous occasions - the most recent of those in 1993, three years before Wenger first took charge. The Citizens, therefore, have the better record when it comes to going all the way in the EFL Cup.

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Chambers, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Wilshere, Ramsey; Ozil; Aubameyang

SUBS: Cech, Kolasinac, Mertesacker, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Welbeck

Starting with a look at Arsenal's starting lineup, the big news is that midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil have both been passed fit. Ramsey has been absent since scoring his first career-hat-trick against Everton a few weeks back though, having returned to training on Saturday, Wenger has opted to throw him straight into the mix. Why wouldn't he - the Welshman has a knack of scoring crucial goals in cup finals, after all.

Ramsey and Ozil, who was struggling with illness earlier in the week, are both restored to the starting lineup, then, and there is also a place up front for January signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The prolific striker opened his account on his debut against Everton but has been left frustrated since, having been ruled out of both Europa League ties against Ostersunds due to ineligibility.

The inclusion of Aubameyang up top is not at all surprising, particularly with Alexandre Lacazette facing another month out and Danny Welbeck struggling for form, and at the opposite end David Ospina had already been confirmed to start in goal. In many ways, the Colombian keeper has got the better half of the bargain in comparison to Petr Cech, as days like these - should Arsenal come out on top, of course - goes to show. In front of him is a five-man backline, which includes a spot for Calum Chambers.

MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Bravo; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Danilo; Fernandinho, Silva, Gundogan; De Bruyne, Sane, Aguero

SUBS: Ederson, Stones, Laporte, Bernardo, Zinchenko, Foden, Jesus

Switching focus to the Man City lineup, there is a real blow for Guardiola as winger Raheem Sterling - with 20 goals for the season - has failed to recover from injury in time to take up a place in the squad. Bernardo Silva has been left on the bench, meanwhile, so it is difficult to work out exactly how the Citizens intend to line up this afternoon. One certainty is that Sergio Aguero will lead the line, with Gabriel Jesus back on the bench to provide back-up.

Jesus has yet to play a single minute of competitive football in 2018, and a recent interview in his homeland gave the impression that he would not feature until early next month, but he returned to training last week and is in contention to feature today. There is also news of a return for skipper Vincent Kompany, who will partner Nicolas Otamendi in the heart of defence - John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are therefore made to watch on from the bench.

The absence of Bernardo is a little surprising as, along with Leroy Sane - who does start - they have played a part in half of City's eight EFL Cup goals this term. Aguero was always likely to get the nod through the middle, meanwhile, and he boasts a goal in each of the Citizens' last four meetings with Arsenal in all competitions. The Argentinian has netted against a single opponent in five successive matches twice before - can he make that a unique hat-trick of sorts today?

Aaron Ramsey, the key man in two of Arsenal's three FA Cup successes here in the last four years, passes a fitness test to start against Manchester City. The Welshman is one of seven players to be recalled to the starting XI on the back of the 2-1 defeat to Ostersunds last time out, while the Citizens make four changes - Walker, Kompany, Otamendi and De Bruyne taking over from Stones, Laporte, Delph and Bernardo Silva.

© Offside

A big afternoon in store for both Guardiola and Wenger, with the latter attempting to win this trophy for the first time in his career. Arsenal have lifted it twice before, but not since 1993. It is fair to say that this is a competition that Wenger used to discredit, using it to field teams better suited to the youth leagues, though it has now taken on huge importance due to his side's faltering fortunes elsewhere.

Only victory will do for Wenger if he is to avoid yet more questions over his future, having seen his side fall 10 points adrift of the Premier League's top four earlier today with Tottenham Hotspur's win over Crystal Palace. Throw an early FA Cup exit into the mix, coming at the hands of Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest, and a Europa League campaign that has barely caught the attention of supporters, you can see exactly why many are so frustrated.

The biggest insult aimed at Arsenal is that they are now no longer considered a top-four force. One season outside of the elite looks almost certain to become two, and it remains to be seen when they will compete in the Champions League again. For so long finishing fourth proved to be a safety net for Wenger, who used it as a defence for his side's often disappointing campaigns. In fairness to the Frenchman, three FA Cups in four years has also helped his cause.

Therein lies the problem for Arsenal, though - will winning this trophy be enough to warrant Wenger staying on for another year? It must be remembered that the Gunners were backed by some to win the Premier League this term, having been given the 'advantage' of not playing Champions League football - something Leicester City and Chelsea made the most of in the last two campaigns. That aim is long out of the question; now merely finishing fifth looks a major ask.

The Europa League has also taken on added importance, with Wenger fielding a strong side in the first leg of the last-32 tie against Ostersunds. A 3-0 win in Sweden was followed up by a 2-1 reverse in North London a few days back - hardly the best preparation for this biggest game of the season thus far. All that matters for Wenger, though, is that his side remain on course to win major honours both domestically and in Europe.

AC Milan await Arsenal in the last 16 - one of the picks of the round - and you would fancy Wenger to go with his strongest XI in both legs. Attention now, though, is on winning the first piece of silverware up for grabs in the the 2017-18 English football season. This is the Gunners' eighth appearance in the final, losing five of those in normal time - more than any other club - and winning just twice.

Those two previous triumphs came in 1987 and 1993, so it is fair to say that lifting the EFL Cup is long overdue. Arsenal have scored the fewest goals of any side to have reached the competition's final, netting just six times in overcoming Doncaster Rovers, Norwich City, West Ham United and then Chelsea over two legs. Granit Xhaka would score what proved to be the winner in the two-legged affair against the Blues.

DID YOU KNOW? Arsene Wenger is aiming to become the eighth manager to win all three of English football's top-tier trophies - or the 'Grand Slam' as it has been referred to. The previous incumbents of that honour are legendary bosses Bill Nicholson, Joe Mercer, Don Revie, George Graham, Alex Ferguson, Kenny Dalglish and Jose Mourinho.

Wenger has a pretty impressive record in his previous domestic finals as Arsenal manager, winning seven out of 10, although two of those three defeats have come in this competition. After losing to Chelsea in a memorable match in Cardiff 11 years ago, the Gunners then suffered a shock loss to Birmingham City in 2011. There are just two survivors in the Arsenal ranks from that day - Jack Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny.

Arsene Wenger is today aiming to become the eighth manager to lift the Premier League, FA Cup and now the EFL Cup trophy. The Frenchman has had two previous near misses during his two decades in English football, losing to Chelsea in the 2007 final and Birmingham City five years later. Third time lucky, I wonder?...

© SilverHub

There are less questions for Man City to answer this afternoon, it is fair to say, following what has been a truly incredible season thus far. The Citizens started the day 15 points clear of second place in the Premier League - a margin that has only slightly reduced following Manchester United's home win over Chelsea a few minutes ago - and they are also effectively into the last eight of the Champions League.

Defeat to Wigan Athletic earlier this week was a major blow, however, denying Guardiola and his men a chance to win an unprecedented quadruple. That loss at the DW Stadium, which someone, somewhere worked out was the second-biggest upset in the competition over the past decade, has also changed the complexion of how the Citizens will approach this match. All of a sudden, there is just a little more pressure to show they do have the bottle to win silverware.

Regardless of today's result, though, City will go on to win a third Premier League title and you have to fancy them to continue brushing aside teams in Europe. Guardiola has yet to win any trophies during his time at the Etihad Stadium, however, and should that change this afternoon his players will have a platform to push on during the final stretch as they battle on two fronts. The Premier League alone may not be enough to appease some supporters.

While Arsenal head into this match on the back of a run that includes three defeats in their last five, City's loss at Wigan was just their third all season. They also have a good record in the EFL Cup, winning two of the last four finals and four of the five they have competed in overall. This competition may well be at the bottom of their list of priorities, but a trophy is a trophy and those die hard City fans know that they cannot take anything for granted.

The Citizens defeated West Bromwich Albion in the early stages of the competition, before then edging out Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City on penalties - Claudio Bravo, between the sticks today, proving the hero on both occasions. Then came a tight double-header against Bristol City, which Guardiola's men managed to come through unscathed to remain on course for a fifth success in the competition's history.

Guardiola has triumphed in six of his previous seven domestic and European finals as a manager, losing only to Real Madrid with Barcelona in the 2011 Copa del Rey. That is an impressive record that the Catalan will be desperate to build on, having failed to make it to this stage of the FA Cup last season and this, while also falling short in the EFL Cup in 2016-17.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! This is the first-ever meeting between these two teams in a major final, though Arsenal have come out on top on both previous encounters at Wembley - 3-0 in the 2014 Community Shield and 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final a little under a year ago. Manchester City have lost just one of their last four games against the Gunners overall, though, winning two and drawing two, including a 3-1 triumph when they last faced off in the top flight.

With kickoff now a little under five minutes away at the national stadium, let us check out some pre-match thoughts from both camps...

Arsene Wenger: "Manchester City have so many players that you think you have to stop that it is better to focus on the team plan than rather than on any individual. It's true that I always used to use this competition with a youth team. For us it's an opportunity. We'll play with all the regular players. We go to Wembley and you want to win it, you want your fans to go home happy."

Pep Guardiola: "I'd like it not for me - for the club. We are here to try to win titles. The first step was to arrive in the final. We did it and now will we try to win it. Everybody knows here in England it is so demanding. All around the world they play three competitions, but here four. It's one of the toughest schedules but if we were not interested in the competition we'd have dropped out in the first game."

Man City, who have won their last two meetings with Arsenal in this competition - coming in 2009/10 and 2011-12 - head into this huge showdown as the favourites. The Citizens have suffered just a few defeats all season and, despite going down 1-0 to Wigan Athletic in a shock result earlier this week, they will still be in a confident mood as they continue their quest for a treble.

© SilverHub

KICKOFF! The third high-profile game of the afternoon in England is under way - the difference being that this is the only one with some silverware up for grabs. A huge 90 minutes, or possibly more, await at Wembley Stadium.

Tentative start to the contest at Wembley Stadium; neither side wanting to give anything away in the opening few minutes. A reminder that Arsenal are going with a back five this afternoon, or back three when the wing-backs push forward, which they have had previous success with.

City attempting to make inroads down the Arsenal flanks, without really looking like creating much of anything so far. Ramsey, Wilshere and Xhaka having to work overtime this afternoon to prevent the opposition's attackers from finding space.

De Bruyne forced out on to the left, where he manages to get a cross into the box. Far too close to Ospina, though, whose first piece of action is to collect the cross. Could be a case of the Belgian playmaker remaining patient for that one killer moment.

SAVE! Huge, huge moment in this match, as Aubameyang is twice denied from close range. Ozil was slipped through and unselfishly looked for the Gabonese, who was possibly offside, but Walker got a touch to the ball before he could make clean contact. The save was still required by Bravo, who was also there to keep out the tame follow-up.

VAR is in use in a major English cup final for the first time this afternoon, incidentally, and it would have been required had Aubameyang converted from a few yards out. Credit to Walker and Bravo, who between them prevented what looked a certain goal.

A far more open feel to the match since that chance for Aubameyang, who has experience of playing in this stadium for Borussia Dortmund. Man City, well clear at the top of the Premier League table, yet to truly get going at Wembley.

Monreal wants a penalty after going to ground inside the box, but replays show that it was a clear dive. Kompany did not make contact at the wing-back deserved to be cautioned for attempting to con referee Craig Pawson.

Man City still awaiting their first shooting chance of the afternoon at Wembley Stadium, having been restricted by their opponents so far. A stretched feel to the match, with both teams attempting to put attacking moves together.

City find the breakthrough goal through their first chance of the contest. As simple as you like, too, as Bravo punts the ball up the field and Aguero had the simple task of lifting the ball over Ospina. Mustafi felt he was shoved in the back; he wasn't - certainly not enough contact to warrant a free kick.

Aguero simply loves scoring against Arsenal, extending his run against the Gunners to five in five. This latest goal was as route one as you like, with stand-in goalkeeper Bravo claiming an assist. Arsenal still protesting the decision for the goal to stand, but VAR agreed that it was a fair.

Wenger will be particularly disappointed by that setback as his side wasted a glorious chance early on through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Still, we have more than an hour still to play in London and this one is far from over just yet.

SAVE! Bravo with a third save of the match to go with his unlikely assist for Aguero's goal. Ramsey's free kick is saved in a simple enough fashion, before a counter-attack is launched and Bellerin booked for halting De Bruyne's run.

ARSENAL SUB! Arsenal forced into an early sub, as Monreal has been struggling with an injury and has now been replaced by Kolasinac. Not a bad change to make, anyway, as it should give the Gunners some attacking impetus down the flank.

We have reached the half-hour mark at Wembley and things have become a little sloppy at the moment. City have still mustered just one attack all afternoon - route one at that - though they took the opportunity when it arrived, unlike their opponents.

Sane drops the shoulder to earn a yard of space, before sending in a decent enough cross. Mustafi was well positioned to clear it behind, however, and from the corner Kompany should have done a little better. Up the other end, Walker got a toe to the ball before Wilshere could shoot.

YELLOW CARD! A high boot from the returning Ramsey, who is cautioned for the foul on David Silva. Surprised Arsenal have not looked for more balls over the top, as Aubameyang is in direct competition with the ageing Kompany.

Three shots on target so far at Wembley - two for Arsenal, with Ramsey and Aubameyang being kept out by Bravo; one for City, who converted from Aguero's brilliant lofted finish over Ospina. Still plenty of minutes left to play, though!

YELLOW CARD! Disappointing play from Aubameyang, as he struggled to really get at Kompany when one-on-one. Fernandinho joins Bellerin and Ramsey in being booked after catching the shin of Wilshere - no complaints from the Brazilian.

SHOT! Hector Bellerin needed to get his header back to David Ospina spot on under pressure from Leroy Sane - and it was. De Bruyne then blasted into the side-netting after Koscielny hooked clear Aguero's chipped shot/cross.

Kolasinac is nearly in behind but a poor touch let him down. Not a great deal between the two heavyweight sides in this first half; the difference being that City have taken their one major chance when it arrived, which is often the case when Aguero is involved.

Booked for that challenge on Wilshere less than 10 minutes ago, Fernandinho blocked the run of the Englishman again and looked like he could be dismissed. Good call from the ref, though, as he could not really get out the way - a talking to was enough.

De Bruyne with a chance to play in Sane but he puts a little too much on the intended through-ball - most unlike him. The half-time whistle sounds, meaning that Manchester City take a one-goal lead into the interval thanks to Sergio Aguero's 30th goal of the season.

In the maiden major final between these two sides in any competition, it was Arsenal who created the first big chance which they were unable to take. After being picked out by Mesut Ozil at the back post, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could not quite make contact with his initial shot thanks to good defensive work from Kyle Walker, but Claudio Bravo was still required to stop the ball crossing the line. Bravo was also to thank for keeping out the follow-up, which Aubameyang failed to lift over the Chilean stopper from a few yards out.

City then took the lead through their only serious chance of the first half, as a simple punt forward by Bravo was lofted over the reach of David Ospina by Sergio Aguero. Arsenal felt that the goal should not have stood due to a perceived push from the goalscorer on Shkodran Mustafi, but with the VAR system in play the goal was rightly allowed to stand.

Opportunities at both ends of the field were proving to be few and far between for the remainder of the opening 45 minutes, with Kevin De Bruyne blasting into the side-netting from inside the area at one end, and Aaron Ramsey forcing nothing more than a simple stop out of Bravo from a long-range free kick at the other. The Gunners, forced into an early change due to an injury picked up by Nacho Monreal, may well tinker with their system at the interval...

BENCH WATCH!

ARSENAL SUBS: Cech, Mertesacker, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Welbeck

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Ederson, Stones, Laporte, Bernardo, Zinchenko, Foden, Jesus

© SilverHub

RESTART! We are back up and running in the EFL Cup final, with Arsenal requiring a goal in this second half to take us to extra time. It was a similar case when they met in the semis of the FA Cup last season, and the Gunners went on to win.

Just six goals scored by Arsenal in their five matches to reach this stage, remember - the lowest tally of any side to compete in the final. Still, there is plenty of attacking quality in their ranks and you would fancy them to bag at least one.

CLOSE! One skipper blocks another, as Kompany's drive from the edge of the box deflects off Koscielny - one of two survivors from the 2011 defeat to Birmingham City - and ends wide of the the target. Decent enough attempt.

Arsenal with all 10 of their outfield players inside their own half at the back, with Man City the side enjoying more of the ball. Should the game continue in this manner, Wenger will surely look to tinker with things come the hour mark.

MANCHESTER CITY SUB! A second enforced change of the afternoon, this time for City as Fernandinho limps off to be replaced by Bernardo Silva. Little less protection for the Citizens' defence now, with 36 minutes to play.

Just that one Kompany shot to report back on in the opening 11 minutes of the second half, which deflected off Koscielny and ended wide. The Gunners struggling to get a foothold on the contest at the moment - will Wenger turn to his bench in the next five minutes?

Almost a real shocker for Bravo, who has a trademark rush of blood to the head when racing out to collect the ball. Aubameyang got there first but could not knock it past the keeper, and he then conceded a foul to end the promising moment.

City bag themselves a potentially killer second just short of the hour mark, and it is skipper Vincent Kompany who bags it. Again, it is all very basic from the Citizens' perspective - De Bruyne's corner is struck goalwards by Gundogan from the edge of the box, before being diverted past a wrong-footed Ospina by Kompany six yards out.

So after struggling to get to grips with the game in this second half, Wenger is now staring at a two-goal deficit. The Frenchman still reluctant to change things around, though, and time is now fast ticking down. Iwobi and Welbeck the obvious options from the bench.

Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, Wenger is still stood on the touchline with his hands in his pockets - no signs of that change just yet. One goal for the Gunners will change the whole mood around Wembley, but it does not look like arriving.

Man City are now on the brink of their first piece of silverware under Guardiola, as David Silva has added his name to the scoresheet for his side's third goal of the evening. Danilo slipped the ball through for the Spaniard, who let it run slightly before blasting it past Ospina - brilliant finish.

ARSENAL SUB! Wenger was hoping to make a change prior to City's third, but the Citizens kept the ball in play for so long that he did not have a chance to do so. Danny Welbeck has now been introduced, taking over from Calum Chambers.

A little under 20 minutes to go at Wembley Stadium and City are well and truly in cruise control now. The Citizens were comfortable at 1-0 and have since gone on to add another couple of goals to their tally. The EFL Cup is theirs.

ARSENAL SUB! Man City, who take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night, now going through the motions and ticking down the minutes. Iwobi has just been brought on for Ramsey in the Gunners' final change of the contest.

Now into the final 15 minutes of the EFL Cup final and there is no real sign of Arsenal finding a way back into the match. Not been the most entertaining of games, truth be told, though full credit to City for taking pretty much each and every chance.

SHOT! An error at the back allows Xhaka to pick up the ball 20 yards out, but he can only send it flying high and wide, with players better positioned either side. Think that pretty much sums things up from Arsenal's perspective.

MANCHESTER CITY SUB! Guardiola with the luxury of easing Gabriel Jesus, without a minute of football in 2018, back to action late on here. Leroy Sane makes way, so there is a chance for him to build his connection with Aguero.

YELLOW CARD! Vincent Kompany is booked for a foul, joining the since-subbed Fernandinho in the referee's notebook. Think everyone inside Wembley now pretty much ready for the full-time whistle to sound - this one is over.

City still on course for a treble, then, with the Premier League surely a formality and the Champions League really starting to heat up. Arsenal, on the other hand, have now lost four of their last six games and need to somehow pick themselves up.

Just five minutes left to play at Wembley Stadium now. Very little goalmouth action throughout this second half, with City converting two of their three chances and Xhaka blasting over from pretty much Arsenal's only shooting chance.

There will be no joy for Wenger in his 22nd attempt at winning this trophy, but for Guardiola it is a 22nd major honour during his managerial career - and a first with treble-chasing City. This really could be a special campaign.

MANCHESTER CITY SUB! Talented youngster Phil Foden is now on for Sergio Aguero, who has finally made his mark on a major final. A booking for Jack Wilshere late on here, too, as we enter added time in the English capital.

The referee has decided to add on three minutes of added time, so the first piece of silverware under Guardiola is now in sight for City. Bellerin has just hammered the ball high and wide, signalling the exit for more Arsenal supporters.

Manchester City are winners of the EFL Cup for a fifth time, with three of those triumphs coming in the last five years. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring 18 minutes in through a lofted finish over David Ospina, before Vincent Kompany and David Silva found a way through in the second half.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Wembley Stadium. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while reaction from both camps will follow elsewhere on the site in due course. Thanks for joining!