Nico O’Reilly’s second-half brace saw Manchester City run out comfortable 2-0 winners in the Carabao Cup final, capping a disappointing afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The manager’s decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of David Raya did little to help Arsenal’s cause. The Spaniard was at fault for the opening goal, fumbling a cross that set City on their way.
The game might have taken a different turn had Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka made more of early chances, but in truth, Arsenal were well beaten after the break and now have to lick their wounds for a couple of weeks before turning their attention to other competitions.
Mikel Arteta on the result…
Painful, especially for our players and supporters because we really wanted to lift that trophy today. It was two very different halves, especially the first half when I think we were better than them and had the best two chances of the game. We didn’t capitalise on that. Credit to them for what we have done. A really sad day.
Source: BBC Radio 5 Live
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Pep Guardiola on his side coming out on top…
Today was a real challenge and nobody gives us anything. Today we saw ourselves and our level against the best team. We were what we are. That is the proof and challenge. That’s what we’re about. We don’t regret the challenge, sport is that. They are the best so far. Second half, I could not believe we could do that against Arsenal but we did it.
Source: mancity.com
Arteta on the decision to play Kepa…
I have to do what I feel is right, which is honest and which is fair and I think we have an outstanding goalkeeper in Kepa. He’s played all the [games in the] competition and I think it would have been very unfair for him and for the team to do something different.
Source: Post-game press conference
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Guardiola on the importance of the win…
What can I say? When you win a trophy is important. It was special because we had a tough two weeks. What they did in the Champions League is so difficult. In the first 15 minutes they suffocated us, we could not breathe. After that we won some second balls and started to play. I’m really pleased because Mikel created a team that is almost unbeatable. A fifth Carabao Cup in 10 years is not bad. Every time you win a title it looks more difficult than in the past. it is really difficult for many reasons.
Source: Sky Sports
Nico O’Reilly on being the match winner…
Unbelievable feeling. To win a final, to beat this team we know how good they are. We need to build on it, it will give us good momentum. Buzzing with today. Bit of disbelief seeing all the fans cheering like that when I scored those goals. Really a good feeling and a great birthday weekend.
Source: Sky Sports
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Arteta on Eze’s injury…
We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait and see the results. It’s a leg injury. His calf.
Source: Post-game press conference
Bernado Silva on City recovering from a tough start…
The first 15 minutes felt difficult; they were able to create a big chance where James Trafford was amazing for us. Second half, we tried to go for them a bit more. We felt they lost a bit of energy, and when we felt that, we had to go even more for them. Nico O’Reilly is really good at arriving in the box in those moments. We were lucky to score the first one, and when we are on top, we can find the spaces.
Source: Sky Sports
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Micah Richards’ on Arsenal’s press…
In the first 20 minutes, I thought Arsenal knew exactly what they needed to do in terms of their press. In the second half, they went back to what we’ve seen them doing in recent weeks and going really low. That allowed Man City to get on the ball and be confident, and they just couldn’t get out. They needed an out. Gyokeres showed good running power in the first half, but in the second half, they couldn’t get out.
Source: Sky Sports
Declan Rice on the need to look forward…
Top of the Premier League, still in the FA Cup, the Champions League. We could have been better today on the day but that’s football. Now there’s still so much to look forward to over the next two months. So we keep going, keep fighting for the badge, for the fans and there’s still so much to play for.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Ian Wright on the game…
Arsenal started pretty well but you have to take those chances. We couldn’t get out of our own half. Man City have got to get the credit. What they’ve shown in the final is what they’re capable of doing. They win games.
Source: Sky Sports
Joe Hart on Kepa’s performance…
The ball slipping through Kepa’s fingers and O’Reilly being on hand, it is a massive moment. There’s no getting away from it. And you know Kepa will be disappointed with that. But very similar to James Trafford he fully deserved his place. He’s been excellent as a cup goalkeeper. He was he was pretty much faultless throughout the game. But you know what it’s like as a goalkeeper that big moment. I think electing to try and catch a ball that was rising was tricky. He didn’t quite do it.
Source: BBC Sport
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Chris Sutton on Arteta’s decision to play Kepa…
I never understand why managers play their second-choice goalkeepers in cup finals. For the life of me, I do not understand that. You’re trying to win a trophy, why wouldn’t you play your number one to give yourself the best possible chance? That’s common sense.
Source: BBC Radio 5 Live
Matthew Upson on the Arsenal end emptying out in double-quick time…
I’m just looking at the stadium, have you ever seen an end empty that quickly? Quick as that, before any hint of a medal ceremony for the runners up. It’s completely empty, the Arsenal end.
Source: BBC Sport
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Arteta’s message to his players…
I want the players to have some perspective. What this team has done in the last eight months is incredible, and we’re going to use the disappointment and the fire in the belly to have the most amazing two months we’ve ever had together. That’s on us; we’ll manage that energy in the right way. Now we have to go through that pain and disappointment, that’s normal, and it’s part of football.
Source: Sky Sports