PGMOL expert reveals if Marc Guehi will play Carabao Cup final vs Arsenal after Man City plea
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Man City will ask the EFL to look past their rules to allow Marc Guehi to play the Carabao Cup final.
Man City beat Newcastle United 3-1 on Wednesday to book their place in the Carabao Cup final, which will be played against Arsenal next month.
The Gunners saw off Chelsea on Tuesday, with the Wembley Stadium clash expected to provide an underlying narrative ahead of the final months of the Premier League title race.
Man City signed Guehi from Crystal Palace earlier this month, but the defender was ineligible for Wednesday’s clash with Newcastle.
Antoine Semenyo also joined Man City this month, but the winger was available against the Magpies and will be available for the final against Arsenal.
Why Marc Guehi is currently banned for the Carabao Cup final
Guardiola will be desperate to have Guehi available for the Carabao Cup final, with the Spaniard facing a lack of alternative options.
The England international was brought in due to the injuries to Josko Gvardiol, John Stones and Ruben Dias, and while the latter returned to the bench against Newcastle, the Citizens remain vulnerable.
| Man City – available centre-backs |
| Ruben Dias |
| Marc Guehi |
| Abdukodir Khusanov |
| Nathan Ake |
| Max Alleyne |
Guehi was ineligible for Tuesday’s semi-final because he joined the club after the first leg had already been played.
An EFL rule change this season means players must be registered before the start of the semi-final tie to be eligible for the rest of the competition.
After Man City‘s place had been confirmed, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play in this competition [in] the final.
“Because 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.”
However, Arsenal will argue that Man City were well aware of the rules before they signed Guehi, and to change them on request would also be to undermine the competition.
Keith Hackett weighs in on Guehi situation
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Man City’s pleas, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said: “I suspect that the EFL will turn down this request, taking a hard line with regard to their rules.
“I understand that an administrative error was made and the impact on this player and his team. However, we have witnessed instances recently where, in cup competitions an unregistered player has taken part, and the team has been thrown out of the competition.
“I will be very surprised if the EFL allow this player to participate, given their long-standing competition rules.”
Man City will undoubtedly make their request regardless, with the decision set to cause frustration either way.