Five Things Learned: Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City (Carabao Cup Final) | OneFootball

Manchester City defeated Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday afternoon to conquer the League Cup title five years on from their last triumph in the tournament.

City were dominant after studying the game early on and made Arsenal look like a team far behind the standards necessary to compete on the biggest stages. With this triumph, Pep Guardiola became the manager with the most League Cup titles in history – five to his name.

The final started pretty evenly as the first half was a bureaucratic encounter between the Gunners and the Citizens. James Trafford made an early triple save to deny Arsenal from opening the scoreline in the opening stages, as Mikel Arteta’s side pressed high up the pitch.

With patience, Pep Guardiola’s army slowly took control of the actions with the biggest threat coming from the right wing thanks to two Antoine Semenyo crosses – both short of Erling Haaland to make perfect timing headers.

As the second period of 45 minutes got underway, City kept control and improved their rhythm – something Arsenal failed to handle. Pressure on the Gunners was so high that goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had a howler from a Rayan Cherki cross, dropping the ball for Nico O’Reilly to net the opener from inside the six-yard box with the simplest of headers.

Four minutes later and the feature happened once again; Rodri provided a perfect reverse pass for Matheus Nunes to overlap on to, before find O’Reilly once more inside the box to head the ball into the top corner.

With a two-goal lead, the Blues kept possession and defended fabulously – especially from corners – only waiting for the clock to run down. Without their main weapon, Arsenal struggled to attack against Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Nathan Aké, meaning they could only accept being second again.

With the first major trophy of the 2025/26 season, City now have an immense boost to morale for the remainder of the season. The next challenge is on April 4th against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final stage at the Etihad Stadium, with an international break now upon us.

Silverware in hand, here are Five Things We Learned from the Carabao Cup Final!

How City Outsmarted Arteta’s Quadruple Chase

Despite not being able to progress beyond Real Madrid on Wednesday, Manchester City entered the Wembley pitch with a posture that made fans feel proud of their dedication alone.

Sunday afternoon saw the players clearly maintain a positive mentality, only making Manchester City look like they were in their prime with control once again.

Humble on every duel, challenge, and goalscoring opportunity, the boys in blue were in their best form – and not much has changed,  nor much time has passed. It looks like the old City, the one that has fire in the eyes, is well and truly back.

Arsenal were, allegedly, favourites for the encounter considering they progressed in the Champions League and have a strong advantage in the Premier League. However, this was a completely different story, and City’s focus and devotion made the difference in the end.

The Star of the Show: Nico O’Reilly’s Birthday Masterclass

Only two days after his birthday, Nico O’Reilly started a final on one of the biggest stages in English football, with England’s national team manager Thomas Tuchel watching on from the stands.

As a left-back with freedom to roam further forward, the Manchester City No.33 used his experience as a natural midfielder to score both goals and win his boyhood club the title.

Moving like prime Ilkay Gundogan when infiltrating the opposing penalty area, he provided impressive firepower, considering the youngster can finish plays with his feet and his head. Decisive, whether he plays as a left sided defender who gets into the midfield or as an attack-minded midfielder, O’Reilly should be on the pitch for the upcoming games.

It is also fair to say that Nico O’Reilly is a strong candidate for the Manchester City Player of the Season award – in what is his first full campaign in the main squad.

Player of the Tournament: James Trafford!

Having already picked up the trophy for Player of the Carabao Cup semi-finals – crowning two solid performances against Newcastle – James Trafford deserves to be rewarded as the best performer in the League Cup this season.

Had it not been for his amazing triple save to deny Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, City could have struggled early on, and the match might have gone in a very different way. But the club’s No.1 showed confidence throughout the entire 90 minutes when kicking long balls.

Being a gem carved in the Manchester City Academy, James Trafford was the fourth goalkeeper when the club won the League Cup back in 2021. After leaving on loan and permanent transfers, he came back to finally make his childhood dream come true – to lift a trophy in blue.

A solid backline

Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nathan Aké and Nico O’Reilly were all on top of their duels at Wembley. Collectively when off the ball, Manchester City also left no spaces for the adversary to attack. Without threatening corners for the Gunners, the clean sheet was always safe.

Both full-backs gave Arsenal wingers nightmares, as Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli on the left, as well as Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, were all outclassed. Nunes and O’Reilly had freedom to attack and help offensively – with the pair combining for the second goal.

Striker Viktor Gyökeres could not speed past Khusanov and Aké, who formed an unexpected pairing following Rúben Dias’ injury and Marc Guéhi’s unavailability. The Uzbek and Dutch centre-backs put in an impeccable shift, giving Mikel Arteta’s side no rest.

What Wembley Means for the Premier League Title Race

Besides facing each other at Wembley for the Carabao Cup, Manchester City and Arsenal are the two title contenders in the Premier League, with a direct clash at the Etihad to be played on April 19th. This final could be a teaser of what’s to come next month, as well as the result of the league.

Although the teams did not necessarily display beautiful football for the entire match, they were focused on the victory – which is likely to repeat itself since the Gunners are nine points ahead of the Blues (who have a game in hand). 

However, if history is to repeat itself, Manchester City could potentially dream with another title on the horizon. After giving Arsenal no shot at winning the game – especially during the second half – Pep Guardiola’s men should be mentally prepared for another winning streak.

For now, stay humble and enjoy this trophy – COME ON CITY!