oi-Prateek Bannerjee

As Arsenal prepare for another showdown at Wembley, fans are looking back at a history in the League Cup (now known as the Carabao Cup) that is as dramatic as any in English football.

While the Gunners are known as the “Kings of the FA Cup,” their relationship with the League Cup has been a rollercoaster of pure joy and absolute agony.

The Last Appearance: 2018 Heartbreak

The last time Arsenal walked out for a Carabao Cup final was February 25, 2018. It was a day they would rather forget. Standing across from them was the beginning of the Pep Guardiola dynasty at Manchester City.

The match was a one-sided affair. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring, followed by goals from Vincent Kompany and David Silva. Arsenal, managed then by Arsene Wenger in his final season, fell 3-0. It was a stark reminder of the gap that had grown between the two clubs, a gap the current Arsenal squad is now working so hard to close.

Arsenal has reached the final of this competition nine times (including the upcoming 2026 final). However, they hold a record they aren’t proud of as they have lost more League Cup finals than any other team in history, with six runner-up finishes.

Arsenal’s Carabao Cup (League Cup) Final History

Arsenal’s two trophies in this competition came during a gritty, determined era. In 1987, they were heavy underdogs against a legendary Liverpool side. When Ian Rush scored, Liverpool never lost until that day. Charlie Nicholas struck twice to break the “Rush Curse” and bring the trophy to Highbury.

Six years later, in 1993, Arsenal defeated Sheffield Wednesday. Steve Morrow scored the winning goal, only to be accidentally dropped by captain Tony Adams during the celebrations, resulting in a broken arm. Morrow famously had to receive his winner’s medal in a hospital gown.

The most painful memory for many modern fans is the 2011 final. Arsenal were heavy favourites against Birmingham City. With the game tied 1-1 in the final minute, a communication breakdown between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Laurent Koscielny allowed Obafemi Martins to tap into an empty net.

As Arsenal return to Wembley this Sunday, they carry the weight of this history. With only two wins in eight attempts, the Gunners are desperate to change the narrative. Under Mikel Arteta, a man who knows how to win at Wembley, the goal is simple: to turn the “nearly men” tag into a “champion” reality.

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