A key aspect of the performance of a Manchester City playmaker at Wembley has been overlooked | OneFootball

Ever since Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, Rayan Cherki has been in the headlines. Cherki’s decision to showboat with his kick-ups minutes after City took a 2-0 lead has been a big topic of discussion following Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. Pep Guardiola didn’t look too pleased after Cherki showcased his impeccable close control. Taking all of that out of the equation, Rayan Cherki played an important role in Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal. That has been overlooked amongst the coverage of Cherki performing a few kick ups during a match.

Rayan Cherki played an important role for Manchester City as they beat Arsenal at Wembley.

During the first half of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side was frustrated by Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal set up with a strong defensive block that didn’t allow Manchester City any space to operate in through the centre of the pitch. Rayan Cherki was getting on the ball in the first half but he didn’t have any space in which to break open Sunday’s match with his prodigious talent.

At halftime, Pep Guardiola made a clever tactical move. Cherki took up a position on the right, where Antoine Semenyo was having joy against Arsenal left-back Piero Hancapié. This move gave City a more pronounced threat on the right, which became crucial throughout the second half.

Rayan Cherki immediately got the ball in more dangerous positions out on the right. He drifted around the pitch as he so often does also, but Cherki being positioned on the right did throw out Arsenal’s defence. Mikel Arteta’s side already had their hands full with Antoine Semenyo before Cherki moved out to the right. Having the French international out there as well gave City an even more dangerous attacking threat.

Rayan Cherki played the cross that Kepa spilled, which led to Nico O’Reilly’s opening goal at Wembley. Cherki’s cross came from the right. Nico O’Reilly’s second goal also came from the right wing. Cherki wasn’t involved in that move, but the left-hand side of Arsenal’s defence was a weakness for Mikel Arteta’s side. City exploited it to perfection.

Final thoughts.

Rayan Cherki showed at Wembley that he can play and thrive on the biggest stage for Manchester City. He also further proved that he simply must start regularly for Pep Guardiola’s side. His performance was a key component of Manchester City’s win. Cherki’s showboating has stolen the headlines, but his overall display was brilliant at Wembley. His touch map from Sunday’s Carabao Cup final illustrates how well Cherki played. It can be seen below.

The future for Rayan Cherki at Manchester City is bright. The French international has all the talent to become a star for City and his country. He played a vital role in Manchester City’s win over Arsenal, and that display sets Cherki up for a prominent role at Manchester City for the remainder of this season and beyond.