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James Trafford will start for Manchester City despite his playing time being limited this season Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed James Trafford will be in goal for Sunday's Carabao Cup final at Wembley, but Mikel Arteta has refused to say who will be Arsenal's starting keeper. Guardiola said he will continue his policy of playing Trafford in domestic cup matches, although he did not offer any assurances over the 23-year-old's long-term situation. Trafford rejoined City from Burnley last summer in a £27m switch and had been seen as the replacement for Ederson. However, he was soon edged out of a starting spot as the club signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain. Asked about Trafford's recent comments about expecting to play more, Guardiola said: "Players can be happy, unhappy. It is what it is. "They have to be here to do the best they can do and after we will see what happens at the end of the season. The important thing is they have to be ready. " He said he was "beyond happy" with Trafford's attitude, but said his selection came as part of "a big moment for the team". Arteta, meanwhile, gave no clue when he spoke to journalists as to who he will start in goal. Kepa Arrizabalaga has been the north London side's keeper in domestic cup competitions, with David Raya taking to the field in the Premier League and Champions League. Raya (left) has been Arsenal's first-choice keeper this season but Kepa has played in the Carabao Cup Arsenal go into the game challenging for multiple trophies and Arteta said he was "prepared and confident" as they try to claim the first of them. "When it comes to the crucial moments and when it comes to the moment to attack a trophy, take it and bring it home, that's when you need to step up and make a difference, " he added. "That's why we are all very excited because we know what is at stake, and now it's about the next step, the next game, and the fact that we are at the end of March and we are in four competitions tells a lot about the team. "It's one of the defining moments because at the end it's whether you win the trophy or not. "We need to prove that point. That's clear. And that has to be done on the pitch. " The match comes as Manchester City sit second in the Premier League, trailing Arsenal by nine points, although they have one game in hand and will welcome their rivals to Etihad Stadium next month. Guardiola, though, gave little credence to suggestions a win at Wembley could see the title push turn in their favour. "I don't know, " he said. "I've said before, of course winning helps, but we could win on Sunday and then be bad in the league and go [in] the opposite [direction]. "I've learned that in many competitions, with many games with a short recovery time, you have to have the ability to forget and move forwards in good and bad moments. "Learn what you have to do better. " Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Premier League: Kroupi levels from penalty spot as Maguire sent off for Man Utd One final experiment? Unpicking Tuchel's latest England squad No contact, no World Cup place? What went wrong for Alexander-Arnold? Watch every episode of the award-winning gangster saga The true story of Birmingham's most notorious gang Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan discuss their intense new film Cillian Murphy curates a Peaky Blinders mixtape No contact, no World Cup place? What went wrong for Alexander-Arnold? Cult or culture? Mc Cullum comes full circle following Ashes review The Man Utd prodigy still too young to play senior football How Gray is proving a shining light in Tottenham's season of turmoil 'I thought I'd be bleeped by BBC' - but Hunt's words resonate Weekly sports quiz: Who is youngest top-flight scorer? Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory. .. Video Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory. .. Afcon final chaos - key questions answered What's behind Super League's injury crisis? Why ex-Palace winger Olise is now in Ballon d'Or contention at Bayern 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Video'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Inside the state school at the top of English rugby union 'Looking like the Hamilton of old' and potential rule changes - F1 Q&A Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.