Arsenal’s wait to get their hands on any kind of silverware has been delayed by at least a few more weeks after Sunday’s loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. The Gunners' bid to win the quadruple was brought to a shuddering halt after Nico O’Reilly’s headed double.
Before the game got underway, much was made as to whether Mikel Arteta could land a first trophy for the Gunners since the club’s FA Cup 2020 win over Chelsea, and if so, would that finally derail rivals City once and for all.
At the same time, Pep Guardiola and his players know that winning this competition at this stage of the season can lead to better things at the end of the campaign and there was no question of the Cityzens coming to London to simply make up the numbers.
With so much more than League Cup success on the line, it was Arsenal who registered the first major chance of the game. Martin Zubimendi getting on the end of a slide rule pass only to see his effort blocked by City backup goalkeeper James Trafford.
Both Trafford and counterpart Kepa Arrizabalaga being given the nod by their respective managers as a reward for their help in getting their teams to the final. The latter of the two at fault for the game’s opening goal.
The deadlock could not be broken in what was a rather tepid first half but things started to come to life just before the hour. Rayan Cherki’s cross from out wide looked nothing more than speculative – that was until Arrizabalaga fumbled possession of the ball.
Nico O’Reilly will never receive such a big gift on such a big occasion and with the 21-year-old stooping to get his head on the ball, it led to City drawing first blood at Wembley and placing one hand back on the Carabao Cup.
One would be all but two just four minutes later. Intricate passing by City’s midfield opened up space on the same right hand channel as before. Another cross from out wide and another O’Reilly header – no stooping required here as his effort soared past Arrizabalaga.
Arsenal were dented twice in quick succession, and, unusually for them, there was nothing in the way of a reply. City and the Carabao Cup are in an almost symbiotic relationship, and this was strengthened at the final whistle.
Pep Guardiola, the first man to win this trophy five times, begrudgingly joined the players in celebrating once the trophy had been handed out. The Manchester outfit has won this battle, but they still need to win the war.
While for Arsenal, they simply have to put this loss behind them. It is only their fourth defeat in all competitions this season. The Premier League title is still in their hands. What happens on the other side of the international break will tell us if their Wembley reverse had a huge effect or not.
