Manchester City suffers significant losses ahead of the final match against Arsenal.

Manchester City faces squad setbacks before the final against Arsenal, but remains competitive if defensive issues are resolved.

Manchester City will enter the English League Cup final against Arsenal with significant defensive losses, as at least two central defenders are unavailable.

Specifically, Josko Gvardiol is still recovering from injury with no set return date. Meanwhile, Marc Guehi is not eligible to play in the competition, leaving coach Pep Guardiola with a difficult task in arranging defensive personnel for the crucial match.

However, Manchester City also receives positive news as Rico Lewis returns to the squad after missing five matches due to an ankle injury. Nevertheless, given the lengthy absence, whether this young player can reach optimal form to start in a final remains a major question.

Another notable factor is Manchester City's early exit from the UEFA Champions League. In the defeat against Real Madrid, when the outcome was nearly settled, Pep Guardiola actively withdrew key players such as Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, Rodri, and Matheus Nunes early to conserve energy. This somewhat helps the players maintain better physical condition ahead of the final.

Overall, Manchester City enters the final with some squad losses, particularly in defense, but not to a crisis level. Coach Pep Guardiola's team still possesses squad depth and many stars capable of making decisive impacts.

Therefore, the clash with Arsenal promises to be balanced and unpredictable. When the gap between the two teams is not too large, factors such as tactical approach, individual form, and composure in critical moments will play key roles. Even a small mistake could determine the outcome of the match.