Mikel Arteta's dreams of an unlikely quadruple have been cut down by a Manchester City side that looked back to their very best under Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal were second best across the pitch as the City slickers boyhood blue Nico O'Reilly inspired them to a first Carabao Cup victory in five years. Ahead of the clash Arteta had made the bold choice to start Kepa Arrizabalaga over David Raya, who is in the form of his life.
And it backfired in a display that saw the Spanish shot-stopper, somehow, avoid a red card before an almighty howler handed City the lead on the hour mark - and that lead was soon doubled while Kepa continued to waste time on the ball.
Arsenal were second best across the pitch
Arsenal were second best across the pitch (Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal were the better of the two sides during the opening exchanges, as a nervous City tip-toed into the showpiece. However, for all their pressure, it was City that fashioned the first gilt-edged chance.
Erling Haaland has been a shadow of his goal-getting self in recent months, but he almost broke the deadlock as Antoine Semenyo attacked Piero Hincapie and whipped in a cross that was just behind the big Norwegian.
However, the second period told a different story - Arsenal were second best across the pitch and could barely lay a glove on City. And the turning point occurred when Kepa, just about, escaped a red card.
Nico O'Reilly
Nico O'Reilly was the man of the moment (Image: Getty Images)
Kepa wrapped his arms around Jeremy Doku, bringing him to ground while there was no one between him and the goal. Referee Peter Bankes immediately blew his whistle - to the fury of Doku - who wanted either a red card or advantage.
And it would be another howler from Kepa that allowed O'Reilly to bundle the ball home a couple of minutes later as City turned the screw. There was only really one team in the game during the second half - Arsenal were pedestrian.
It was team that looked like, without some sort of dead ball, didn't really know how to find the back of the net, nor how to deal with a team that is going to bully them back.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa Arrizabalaga was at fault for the opening goal (Image: Getty Images)
O'Reilly doubled the lead a couple of minutes later - and Arsenal looked defeated while City were already taunting their rivals, bringing out the party tricks.
Rayan Cherki was doing keepie-uppies, to the annoyance of Guardiola but the delight of City fans. It's not just trophy for City - in a competition they once called their own - but also a huge psychological blow.
Arsenal fans were leaving before the full-time whistle, many of whom believed they were about to take the first step towards a quadruple when they went to sleep on Saturday evening.
It's blow that might just extend to the Premier League, City and Arsenal still need to face each other - and who knows what a City win might do to the Gunners' Premier League dreams.