Manchester City take on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday and boss Pep Guardiola has already confirmed who will play in goal against the Gunners
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will play in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. Manchester City take on current Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, with each side having the opportunity to lift the first piece of silverware of the season.
Trafford, 23, has played a supporting role for City this season following his return to the club from Burnley in the summer. He has made just 12 appearances in all competitions so far, with Gianluigi Donnarumma being preferred but Guardiola has confirmed that the England man will play this weekend.
Trafford has played every minute of City’s Carabao Cup campaign so far this season, a run that is set to extend at Wembley. Asked how big of a moment it could be for Trafford, Guardiola replied: “For the team, it is a big moment.”
Trafford has spoken out on his position this season and suggested that he could potentially look to leave in an effort to find more regular football.
“Players can be happy, unhappy,” Guardiola said when asked about those comments. “It is what it is. They have to be here to do the best they can do and after we will see what happens at the end of the season. The important thing is they have to be ready.”
Asked if he was happy with the young goalkeeper’s attitude, Guardiola added: “Beyond [happy], yeah.”
Beyond the goalkeeper, Guardiola stopped short of revealing too many decisions about his team but suggested that they could be in line for a tricky afternoon at Wembley against Arsenal.
He said: “They control many things and many aspects of the game, [and] the spirit for many years not winning make that boost and the solidarity in other aspects.
“They control when they defend deep, when they hide, build-up, long balls, second balls, so many good things.
“In the Champions League they won all their games in the group stage and just drew against Leverkusen, so it will be a big challenge to see our level.
Guardiola added: “To reach the final, no matter the competition, is really tough. We see the level in Europe, here and other leagues and any competition. Being there [Wembley] is a big opportunity because you don't know when it's going to happen again. So we have to do it.”