EFL respond to Pep Guardiola rule change request for Arsenal Carabao Cup final

Pep Guardiola has claimed Manchester City are prepared to write to the EFL to request a rule change that would enable Marc Guehi to feature in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley next month

EFL sources insist Marc Guehi will not be allowed to play in the Carabao Cup final - even if they receive a letter from Manchester City requesting a formal rule change.

Speaking after last night's 3-1 (5-1 aggregate) semi-final second leg victory over Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola indicted City were set to write to the EFL requesting discussions over Guehi's ineligibility.

He told Sky Sports: “Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play in this competition [in] the final. It’s difficult to understand that the club makes a big investment to take one player, [he] belongs to us and I don’t understand why he cannot play in the final. Honestly.

"Hopefully we make a letter and hopefully the Carabao Cup can understand. Once you buy a player for a lot of money and he’s not able to play (because of) a rule that I don’t understand why. Hopefully they can change it and he can play."

Ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, the EFL actually amended their rules to permit players who have already played in early rounds of the competition to feature for their new clubs (following a January transfer), providing they signed before the first leg of the semi-final.

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For example, in previous seasons, Antoine Semenyo would have been cup tied, however, this time around he was able to feature for City against Newcastle and he was on target in the 2-0 first-leg victory at St James' Park.

Eddie Howe criticised the rule change before the game, stating: "It was nice to find out that rule had changed after finding out they had signed him," he said in his pre-match press conference. I have to say that's one rule change I probably wouldn't be supportive of at this current moment."

While City have already benefited from the rule change, Guardiola is still of the opinion that Guehi should also be able to feature against Arsenal at Wembley next month.

The first leg of the semi-final against Newcastle took place on January 13 but the England international did not complete his switch to the Etihad Stadium from Crystal Palace until January 19.

When contacted by football.london, the EFL made it clear they will hold firm even if they are approached by City meaning Guehi will have to watch his team-mates contest the first trophy of the season from the stands in London.

The central defender is also unlikely to receive a medal if City win the competition as he will not have featured for his new club during the tournament.

The Carabao Cup winners are guaranteed a play-off spot for next season's UEFA Conference League - although Arsenal and City remain well on track to qualify for the Champions League - plus they will also earn £100,000 in tournament prize money.