Arsenal vs Man City: Why this year's Carabao Cup final at Wembley matters like never before as Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola lock horns

This Sunday sees a Carabao Cup final like never before. This is the first time the two best teams in the country in terms of the league table have competed in this final. Never before has the first silverware of the season had so much riding on it.

It is often said the real season run-in begins after the March international break ends. Sunday's final, live on Sky Sports, is the last game before that break.

This will be the cliffhanger before the final act of Arsenal vs Man City starts. It will act as the precursor for the crucial Premier League game between the two on April 19. But in the wider context of these two teams' seasons, it will answer many remaining questions about the sides.

Arsenal come into the final on the brink of a defining period in their modern history. A first Premier League title beckons in 22 years thanks to a significant lead at the top of the table, and this final is one of four trophy avenues for the Gunners over the next eight weeks.

With the Gunners five wins away from the title and in the latter stages of the other three competitions, Arsenal are 14 victories from claiming a historic quadruple. But getting over the line has been the main sticking point of the last few seasons.

While Arsenal sit above City in the Premier League table, it is worth remembering that Mikel Arteta's side are the trophy searchers, with Pep Guardiola holding the experience of silverware, as they themselves chase a domestic treble.

"When you have been in this position and years without a trophy, it adds more necessity but also more drive," said Arteta in his press conference on Friday.

"That's something that we have, it's important for us and something we've been looking to achieve for a while."

Arsenal also head to Wembley for the first time in six years. City have been there 22 times since Guardiola took over. "Being there is an honour, and a big challenge," said Guardiola about that record this week, almost bragging about their record of reaching this stage.

Ultimately, this final also sits as an opportunity for Arsenal to claim a big win over City in the defining part of the season - something that has eluded them.

Arteta's Arsenal have a pretty good record over Guardiola's City, the Gunners unbeaten in the last six meetings. But Arsenal's wins over City in that period came in the autumn or winter; they are yet to claim a win over Guardiola in the spring since they emerged as title contenders three seasons ago.