Arsenal latest: Early Carabao Cup final team news hint emerges as new leader identified

Arsenal have reached the Champions League quarter-finals after beating Bayer Leverkusen and now face Manchester City in Carabao Cup final

Arsenal are just a few matches away from European triumph, having comfortably dispatched Bayer Leverkusen to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. With a potential semi-final spot to contend for against Sporting CP and a nine-point lead in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta has a challenging few weeks ahead.

However, attention will soon shift back to another tournament as the Gunners prepare for Sunday afternoon's Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. The two leading teams in England will go head-to-head at Wembley Stadium this weekend in a contest for the season's first piece of silverware.

City were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday by Real Madrid, losing 5-1 on aggregate. The title contenders will regroup and brace themselves for a stern test against Arteta's squad - a challenge he is eagerly anticipating.

When questioned if his team selection was influenced by Sunday's event, the Arsenal manager said: "No, it was related to the game and certain players that needed to come off, basically. Because of the amount of minutes that they have played. Now we can focus on the final.

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"Enjoy tonight and prepare, because we have a beautiful final to play on Sunday."

Here, football.london brings you all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.

Rice names new dressing room leader

Declan Rice has emphasised David Raya's significance within the dressing room following his outstanding display in Europe on Tuesday. The midfield maestro proved hugely influential against Bayer Leverkusen, earning the man of the match accolade for his showing.

Rather than basking in the praise, the England international singled out his goalkeeper as one of Arsenal's key leaders. During a conversation with Gunners legend Thierry Henry on CBS Sports, Rice said: "Yeah, he deserves every bit of credit that he's getting.

"I wish people could come in and see every day how he trains because the intensity that he trains at and the level that he trains at, there's literally no reason why he's not doing what he's doing on the pitch.

"It's incredible. To see him every day, the effort and how he is with the lads, he's turned into a real leader for us and when you've got a 'keeper like that, I think it gives everyone confidence. So, yeah, he's incredible."

Potential Carabao Cup final axe

Despite Raya's elevated status within the Arsenal squad, Kepa Arrizabalaga believes he's edging his teammate for the starting berth in Sunday's Carabao Cup final against City. The 31-year-old has served as deputy goalkeeper to the Spaniard this campaign, but has featured between the posts for the League Cup fixtures.

While Raya is enjoying exceptional form, Arrizabalaga has been entrusted with duties across the domestic cup competitions and could present Arteta with a selection dilemma. The Spanish goalkeeper is optimistic the Gunners manager will choose him after outlining his approach to handling the pressure at Wembley.

The former Chelsea shot-stopper said: "The atmosphere at Wembley is so special, everything around the game is special – the build-up and everything. You know you are out there playing for a title, and right now in this moment of football, every title is so difficult to get.

"You know you are one game away from being able to lift a trophy. Obviously, it's going to be a tough game, a very difficult game, but we'll go for it. I have played in the League Cup final before, but I have played many finals in my career, I have been lucky in that way."

Suggesting he may be Arsenal's starting goalkeeper when the match commences, Kepa added: "So I will just approach the game the best way that I can. We will prepare everything in the best way, because at the end the aim is to win.

"Just focus on the game, focus on us and prepare for the opponent. That's it. I don't think we need to approach anything differently."