Carabao Cup Final: Nico O’Reilly brace helps Manchester City bury Arsenal at Wembley

Manchester City get the better of Arsenal yet again. (Image credits – Heute; licence details). 

Manchester City beat title favourites Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final as Nico O'Reilly led Pep Guardiola's team to the finishing line with a sensational brace. Interestingly, it was for the first time when the cup final featured the top two teams from the league against each other.

The first half was slow with both teams taking a cautious approach, but life sprung into action in the second half. A huge blunder from Gunners' goalkeeper Kepa allowed O’Reilly to score and gave Man City the precious lead in a cagey game.

Following that goal Pep Guardiola's men gained huge momentum and were brilliant in possession. Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku were brilliant on the flanks as they completely pegged Arsenal back in their half, allowing them no time on the ball.

The 21-year-old soon bagged his brace following a brilliant move on the left flank from Doku, who switched it over to the right before it was headed back in by the youngster. After this victory, Pep Guardiola became the first manager to win five Carabao Cup titles, while his student Mikel Arteta's wait for his first major trophy since winning the 2020 FA Cup continues.

Arsenal started the game on the front foot and could have killed the game, but City’s second-choice keeper James Trafford was equal to it. The Citizens didn't register a shot on target in the first half, while the Gunners looked like the better side heading into the second half.

The error from Kepa boosted City's confidence, and after that there was no stopping them as Arsenal's ghosts of the past came back to haunt them in a major final yet again. Late in the game, Arteta's side hit the crossbar twice from Gabriel Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori, but Guardiola's boys held on to a well-deserved win after a rough patch of form recently.

The Gunners lost their hopes for a quadruple this season as they're still on course in the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup. However, this could prove to be a psychological blow for Arteta's side, as they are yet to face City in the league, who could creep up on them in case they slip up.

This could've also ended their wait for some silverware for the first time since 2020. Arteta's approach with a full-strength side against a struggling Man City side also seemed questionable.

“Serial chokers!” Why did Arsenal fail to beat Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final?

Arsenal entered the Carabao Cup final as favourites, chasing a historic quadruple. Manchester City, on the other hand, have been struggling recently and have been inconsistent throughout the season. This was the golden opportunity for the Gunners to outclass Pep Guardiola's side and get their hands on some silverware, but when it mattered the most, Arsenal failed to win yet again. 

Arsenal's lack of threat from open play exposed them yet again as they failed to capitalise on their early dominance. They had started the game well, but James Trafford made good saves that kept the scores level at half time. Had they taken those chances, things could've turned out very differently for them, as that's what happened with Manchester City.

They took their chances and changed the game completely. Kepa’s error when he spilt a routine catch gifted City a goal along with momentum. Such moments are extremely crucial in a Cup final when the stakes are high and especially in a cagey game.

Even after the first goal, the Gunners didn't respond as they should have. City added another goal within a span of the next five minutes, which exposed Arsenal's weakness at the back and their concentration levels. Manchester City had full control for those five to ten minutes, dominated with the ball and converted their chances, which ultimately made the difference.

Eberechi Eze, who has been sensational for Arsenal, was a huge miss for Mikel Arteta, and without his playmaking abilities, the north London giants had to sit back for most of the game. Arsenal couldn't press like they usually do; there was a lack of cutting edge in the final third and no creativity when they had possession.

Mikel Arteta's game management in a cup final was questionable, especially against an out-of-form Man City. He made late substitutions even after City scored their first goal, and by the time he made the changes, the game had already slipped from their hands.

Arsenal lacked the urgency to win the tie, and in the second half it was all Manchester City until the final few minutes when they soaked the pressure from the Gunners and saw the game out.

In the end Manchester City’s experience in big games paid off and despite not being the favourites, and not making a good start they defended brilliantly especially Nathan Ake who had completely locked Bukayo Saka on the right.

Arsenal did not lose the tie because they were poor on the night; they lost because they failed to capitalise on chances which matter the most in a knockout tie, and this is a stern warning for them for their remaining games this season. Finals are won in moments, and the Gunners have to capitalise on those moments in the future.