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The Carabao Cup isn't as lucrative as the likes of the FA Cup of the UEFA Champions League, but it remains a valuable competition for those looking to get their hands on some silverware
Arsenal have the chance to add to their purse – and their trophy cabinet – when they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday afternoon. Mikel Arteta will be desperate to finally get his hands on a piece of silverware after nearly six years without a major honour.
Since replacing Unai Emery in the dugout in December 2019, the Gunners boss has only won one major trophy, and it was with his predecessor's squad. In August 2020, Arteta led Arsenal to a 2-1 victory against Chelsea in the FA Cup final, which was played behind closed doors and postponed due to the pandemic.
Although the Spaniard has lifted a couple of Community Shields, he hasn't won a major piece of silverware since. If Arteta ends his barren run this weekend, he will also bank the north Londoners' hundreds of thousands in prize money.
If Arsenal win the Carabao Cup, they'll pocket £100,000, and if they lose, they'll get £50,000. Having entered the competition in the third round, the Gunners have already pocketed £75,000 in prize money.
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Arsenal secured £25,000 from the semi-final, £25,000 from the quarter-final, £15,000 from the fourth round, and £10,000 from the third round. The Carabao Cup isn't as lucrative a competition as the UEFA Champions League, which has already earned them about £60million, or even the FA Cup, which offers £127,000 just for winning the fourth round.
Although the competition isn't as financially rewarding as others, the winners get a huge psychological boost ahead of the end-of-season run-in. In an interview with Betfair, Alan Shearer discussed the magnitude of this weekend's clash.
"If Arsenal win the Carabao Cup, the quadruple is seriously on. And it's a big if because it's a huge game, a huge game for both clubs, because this probably is City's last chance in terms of the silverware.
"It's a huge game for both clubs, but yeah, if Arsenal win this one, then the talk will intensify of winning four trophies, which clearly has never been done before."
Shearer claimed that Guardiola could leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, suggesting he'll be desperate to bow out in style. The Newcastle United legend added: "There is pressure on both clubs and pressure for different reasons.
"The talk about this being Pep's last season. Man City have been nowhere near what they've been in the past in terms of their defence."
Arsenal have scored nine goals across their last five games against Manchester City, winning two and drawing three. Guardiola's side also haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their previous five games across all competitions, with their last coming in a win over Leeds United back in February.
Reflecting on Manchester City's current form, Shearer said: "They've given so many opportunities away which was summed up the other night against Real Madrid."
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