Why Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze miss the Carabao Cup final for Arsenal | Football

Both Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze miss the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, with neither Arsenal star recovering from injury in time to face Manchester City at Wembley.

The full-back and the playmaker were doubts coming into the clash, with Timber missing the win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek and Eze being forced off during the meeting with the German side.

The England international scored a brilliant opener against Leverkusen but was taken off after the break due to a knock.

The Dutchman was not involved in the Champions League last 16 match thanks to an ankle issue.

There was hope that both would be fit enough to feature at Wembley, with Arsenal meeting City at 4.30pm, but neither have recovered in time and will be disappointed to miss out.

Ben White will play at right-back, while the front line sees Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard featuring behind Viktor Gyokeres.

Martin Odegaard has also failed to recover from a knee injury and is not in the squad to take on Manchester City, while Mikel Merino is a long-term absentee.

Speaking of Eze’s absence, Arteta said ahead of the game: ‘We tried everything [to get him fit], but unfortunately he, Martin [Odegaard], Jurrien [Timber] and Mikel [Merino] are out.’

Specifically on Timber and Odegaard, the Spaniard said: ‘They couldn’t make it, so I think they will be still a couple of weeks. We will see after the international break.’

Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal, with William Saliba alongside Gabriel at the heart of Arteta’s defence and Piero Hincapie at left-back.

The familiar pairing of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi is in midfield at Wembley.

As for Manchester City, their injury issues are in central defence, with Ruben Dias missing out due to a hamstring problem.

That came as a surprise on Sunday, with the Portuguese star’s issue not public before the day of the game and he joins Josko Gvardiol on the sidelines.

Meanwhile Marc Guehi is cup-tied after his January move from Crystal Palace so he is also unavailable.

With the three centre-backs out, it will be Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake in the middle of defence, with Matheus Nunes at right-back and Nico O’Reilly on the left.

James Trafford starts in goal, with a midfield of Rodri and Bernardo Silva behind Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku, with Erling Haaland up top.

Guehi is unavailable as he arrived after the first leg of the semi-final against Newcastle, while Semenyo was signed earlier in January,

Guardiola has made no secret of the fact he thinks the rule should not be in place.

‘Hopefully in March, we can arrive with the players fit and hopefully you can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc Guehi can play in the final,’ Guardiola said.

‘Because it’s difficult to understand that the club who make a big investment to pay one player who belongs to us and I don’t understand why he cannot play the final.

‘So, hopefully we write a letter, and hopefully the Carabao Cup can understand. He’s not able to play for a rule that I don’t understand why. Hopefully, they can change it.’

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