An important step has been ticked off in the development of this Manchester City side | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola’s new-look Manchester City team won their first trophy yesterday with their 2-0 win over Arsenal to claim the Carabao Cup at Wembley. City thoroughly deserved their victory given the manner of their performance against Mikel Arteta’s side, especially considering City’s dominance at halftime. Nico O’Reilly’s second half brace sealed Manchester City’s win. This City side took a giant step forward in their development at Wembley. The first step was the fact that they have now won a major trophy together. Another important step was the manner of their performance against Arsenal, which shows that this City side can dominate a team such as Arsenal on the biggest stage.

A host of Manchester City players won their first trophy with the club yesterday and they stood up to be counted.

Manchester City had a host of players in their starting lineup yesterday that hadn’t won a major trophy with the club. Some had played in cup for finals but City but hadn’t tasted victory. James Trafford, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo all started yesterday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. Each player thrived throughout yesterday’s match as they played a key role in Manchester City’s win.

James Trafford made the important saves he had to make. Abdukodir Khusanov was a wall at the back after a nervous start to the match. Nico O’Reilly was City’s match-winner as his brace sealed City’s victory. Rayan Cherki played a vital role in unsettling Arsenal’s defence with his ability to drift all over the pitch and with his creativity. Cherki’s cross set up Manchester City’s opening goal at Wembley. Antoine Semenyo gave Arsenal left-back Piero Hincapié a torrid time on the right wing and was by far Manchester City’s most dangerous attacking player in the first half at Wembley.

All of the players mentioned above shone under pressure at Wembley. That was a key step ticked off in the growth of this team, as was winning a trophy for this Manchester City side and the confidence they will gain from claiming their first major trophy together.

Manchester City’s performance against Arsenal was another giant step forward for this team.

Another standout aspect of Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal at Wembley was the manner of Manchester City’s performance. From the 30th minute onwards, Pep Guardiola’s side dominated Mikel Arteta’s side. City seized control of the match, and with their possession play, they dropped Arsenal deep into their own area and wouldn’t let them out. City suffocated Mikel Arteta’s side and got their reward when Nico O’Reilly scored twice in four minutes to seal Manchester City’s win. City’s dominance of Arsenal was arguably the most pleasing aspect of City’s Carabao Cup win.

Speaking after his team beat Arsenal yesterday, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was thrilled with his team’s performance. Guardiola added that he didn’t expect his team to be able to dominate Arsenal in the manner that they did: “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.”

Pep Guardiola also spoke on the importance of his players winning their first trophy together. He also stressed that his Manchester City team isn’t yet at their best level: ” For James [Trafford] it was the first final he played, [Abdukodir] Khusanov just a year here, Nico O’Reilly has impressed me in his first full season and Antoine [Semenyo] played his first final. There are many players who have had a first experience but that is good, that’s what we need. That tells us okay we can do it.”

“Still we are much better than last season but not the team we should be. That requires time. Hopefully next season and the end of this season we can do it.”

Final thoughts.

Yesterday’s Carabao Cup win was a huge step forward for this Manchester City team. A host of City players proved that they can stand up in big moments. That is a huge step in the development of this team. Pep Guardiola’s side also proved that they can dominate a quality opponent and impose their will on a team such as Arsenal. There is no telling what that experience will be worth to Pep Guardiola’s side going forward, but it should fill them with confidence and self-belief for the future.