“He was backing off” – Antoine Semenyo mocks Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie after Wembley victory | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo has hilariously pointed out that he had Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie “running around a little bit” during Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.

City dismantled the Gunners’ quadruple ambitions at Wembley, delivering a tactical masterclass to reclaim the Carabao Cup – five years from their last success in the competition under Pep Guardiola.

The victory was defined by a stunning second-half blitz from academy graduate Nico O’Reilly, who struck twice in just four minutes to overwhelm the Premier League leaders. The triumph also marked a personal milestone for Pep Guardiola, who became the first manager to hoist the League Cup five times.

The contest swung on a disastrous error by Arsenal’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, when he fumbled a Rayan Cherki cross into Nico O’Reilly’s path for a clinical opening header. Moments later, O’Reilly effectively ended the contest by thundering home a Matheus Nunes delivery at the far post, sparking jubilant touchline celebrations from Guardiola.

While Manchester City head into the March international break with renewed momentum, Mikel Arteta is left to rue a missed opportunity and a goalkeeping gamble that backfired on the grandest stage.

Antoine Semenyo vs Arsenal, Carabao Cup Final Performance Statistics:

How Semenyo’s composure dismantled Arsenal’s left flank

Speaking with broadcasters after the game, Antoine Semenyo issued an honest insight into both his own performance against Piero Hincapie, and his mindset heading into his first major cup final of his professional playing career.

“[I felt] very chilled and relaxed [before the game]. It’s just another game for me. We had a game plan. And if you have the game plan right you’ll win. We did that today. We’re proud and happy,” the Ghanaian international admitted.

“I have that freedom to do what I want, get at defenders, and cause problems,” he said of his own individual performance. “That’s what I did today. Had [Piero] Hincapie running around a little bit, it’s just what I do. It’s my job. It’s that freedom.

“As soon as he got booked he was backing off a lot, so it gave me the opportunity to drive at him and cross and shoot.”

Semenyo looks ahead to Liverpool and April Title Decider

Looking forward and what more can come in his Manchester City career, Antoine Semenyo explained, “It feels like a fairytale if I’m honest. I feel like I have a lot more to show.

“I feel like I want to play wide, as a nine, and show how versatile I am, and just help the team as much as I can. I’m enjoying my football and it can only get better.

“God’s got a plan. It might not work out and you might not know why. But the answer always reveals itself later on. That’s what I’d say [to my 15-year-old self]. They’ve won so many trophies so it feels like just another one for them, but for me it’s so personal. I’ve never won a trophy before. I give God all the glory.”

Following the March international break, City will return to domestic action with an FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, April 4 (12:45 BST), providing another opportunity to reach Wembley for the semi-final stage of the tournament.

The focus will then shift back to the Premier League title race, where Manchester City must navigate a tricky away trip to Chelsea on Sunday, April 12, before the most anticipated fixture of the season.

On Sunday, April 19 (16:30 BST), Arsenal visit the Etihad Stadium for a potential title-deciding showdown. With the Gunners currently holding a nine-point lead, City will view this direct clash as their final opportunity to dramatically swing the momentum of the title race in their favour as the 2025/26 campaign reaches its boiling point.