ARSENAL 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY: Pep Guardiola's side won the first trophy of the season as Nico O'Reilly's second-half doubled secured them the Carabao Cup at Wembley as the Gunners are left to lick their wounds
Man City star Nico O'Reilly took centre stage as they downed Arsenal to claim the Carabao Cup
Man City star Nico O'Reilly took centre stage as they downed Arsenal to claim the Carabao Cup
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Manchester City claimed the Carabao Cup and, in the process almighty boost, as they got the better of Arsenal to win the season's first trophy.
Pep Guardiola has become a serial winner of this competition and it was Nico O'Reilly who rose to the occasion - scoring twice in the space of four minutes to set the Manchester outfit on their way to another Wembley triumph.
Arsenal's quadruple dream went up in smoke as the Premier League leaders failed to turn up in the second-half, when City really ramped up the heat. O'Reilly's opener owing to a blunder from Kepa Arrizabalaga, who dropped a cross right into the path of the left-back.
O'Reilly, now a fixture in the England set-up, headed home from a matter of yards to ignite the final. It wasn't long before he doubled his tally as he again produced a timely header from a Matheus Nunes with Kepa helpless to stop City doubling their lead.
Both teams started with their No 2s, but whilst Kepa had an outing to forget, it was James Trafford who had a shining moment early on, producing a triple save. His lack of minutes haven't dented his sharpness and he first denied Kai Havertz before saving two Bukayo Saka efforts in quick session.
The first goal was always going to be huge, had it gone to Arsenal the afternoon could've been so different, but City showed just what a winning machine they are as Guardiola ensured he wouldn't go two years without a trophy. Here's five talking points from Wembley.
Advantage City
Recent draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham has left Guardiola's side with it all to do in the remaining weeks of the season, but sticking the knife into Arsenal again will leave City feeling that they can destroy their dreams once more.
Nico O'Reilly was on hand to score twice early in the second-half
Nico O'Reilly was on hand to score twice early in the second-half
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In the second-half it felt like they were making a point with the quality of their performance, and the way they continue to hammer the team, regarded by many as Europe's best, will have served as a reminder that they aren't going anywhere just yet. City have often used the Carabao Cup as a springboard to greater things. Arsenal have firmly been put on warning. Watch this space.
The O'Reilly final
Back in 2005 we had the Steven Gerrard final as he hauled Liverpool from defeat to victory in Cardiff. Arsenal fans of an age may remember an Alan Sunderland final, as he scored in a five-goal thriller to down Manchester United back in 1979.
Well 2026 heralded the Nico O'Reilly final as the left-back, who has enjoyed a breakout 18 months, found himself in the right place at the right time twice in quick succession. Those goals set City on their way to another final victory. The most unlikeliest of goal scorers, but those in blue won't care one bit. O'Reilly's place in history is secure.
Kepa dropped the ball into the path of the Man City left-back, who was able to score the opener
Kepa dropped the ball into the path of the Man City left-back, who was able to score the opener
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The wait goes on
Arsenal may well go on to win the Premier League, but this was a chance to rid of the narrative around their inability to get over the line. For all their forward strides in recent years the Gunners remain without a trophy since they claimed the FA Cup at Wembley back in 2020.
Back on that same pitch they could've lifted a trophy, even if it is the perceived least desirable one of the season. To win it, and in the process get one over on their direct title rivals, would've been a huge lift. But the chance has passed them by and any psychological damage may not be clear to see until May, but at times they looked beaten and this will be a tough one to digest.
Kepa call
The Arsenal goalkeeper likes to make himself front and centre in Carabao Cup finals - not always for the right reasons. Rewind seven years and he was playing for Chelsea against City, famously refusing to come off as a sub despite being told his time was up.
James Trafford, usually Man City's No 2, started and produced some stunning saves in the first-half
James Trafford, usually Man City's No 2, started and produced some stunning saves in the first-half
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Now serving as the No 2 at the Gunners, he was given the nod ahead of David Raya and you wonder how much of a regret that will be for Arteta. The Spaniard was tempting fate when he ran out of his goal, escaping with a yellow card as he tugged back Jeremy Doku. But it was his clanger that allowed for the opening goal. Failing to catch a routine cross, he dropped it into the path of O'Reilly and, the rest, as they say, is history.
A slow burner comes alive
The final was, especially in the first-half, two teams absolutely hell bent on not conceding. Defences were on top, which you've come to expect of Arsenal, but City's backline were equally difficult to breach. Even periods of extended possession didn't always end with a chance or an opportunity.
As a result goal-mouth action was hard to come by. Neither team wanted to blink first with the opening goal likely proving crucial. The most potent attacking weapons on both sides were largely nullified, until the game aged when it became inevitable that things would open up, and boy did City make it their prerogative to take this game by the scruff of the neck.