O’Reilly brace beats Arsenal to earn City’s ninth League Cup success

In partnership with

Manchester City F.C.

·22 marzo 2026

O’Reilly brace beats Arsenal to earn City’s ninth League Cup success

Nico O’Reilly’s second-half double was the decisive factor on a special day at Wembley as City won the League Cup for a ninth time with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal.

Picture Special

OneFootball Video

Gallery: 2025/26 Carabao Cup Trophy Lift!

The 21-year-old Academy graduate was the hero from left-back, getting into the box twice in five minutes to head home and ensure an unforgettable occasion.

In what was the first ever League Cup final between the top two sides in the country, the Blues were more than a match for the current Premier League leaders every step of the way in and out of possession.

Shop our Carabao Cup winners collection

It means yet more history for Pep Guardiola, who has now claimed 19 major honours as City boss and becomes the first manager to win this competition five times.

Meanwhile, our tally of nine triumphs in the League Cup is second only to Liverpool on 10.

And with the Premier League and FA Cup still to play for in 2025/26, Guardiola will be hoping the performance acts as a catalyst for the final two months of the campaign.

The game in 250 words

It was Arsenal who made the early running under Wembley’s arch, with James Trafford forced into a stunning triple save to deny Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka twice in the seventh minute.

That buoyed our fantastic travelling support and the Blues enjoyed more possession from there, with wingers Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo regularly taking their full-backs on.

Men's Team

City win ninth League Cup with victory over Arsenal at Wembley

We were the better side by half-time, with Erling Haaland nodding over under extreme pressure for the final chance before the break.

Haaland was at the centre of things as the second half got under way, turning William Saliba but not connecting cleanly with his shot.

But it was Jeremy Doku who was involved in the first major talking point of the second period, going around Kepa Arrizabalaga before being pulled back as he was lining up a shot.

The goalkeeper saw yellow, but City were not to stopped.

Our pressure told on the hour as Rayan Cherki’s cross burst through Kepa’s hands and bounced nicely for Nico O’Reilly to nod home.

And it was 2-0 less than five minutes later, as Nunes floated a ball for O’Reilly to attack for his second header of the day.

Men's Team

Guardiola sets record for most League Cup wins as a manager

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made a raft of changes in an attempt to get back into the game, with substitute Riccardo Calafiori initially coming closest by glancing the post from 12 yards out.

Former City man Gabriel Jesus then looped a header on to the crossbar as the 90-minute mark approached.

However, a dogged defence held firm to spark wild celebrations in the blue half of Wembley.

Men's Team

O'Reilly overjoyed after Carabao Cup heroics

Teams

CITY XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly, Rodrigo, Bernardo (C), Semenyo, Cherki (Foden 90), Doku, Haaland

Subs: Donnarumma, Reijnders, Stones, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho

ARSENAL XI: Arrizabalaga, White (Martinelli 82), Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie (Calafiori 66), Rice, Zubimendi, Havertz (Madueke 66), Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard (Jesus 82)

Subs: Raya, Mosquera, Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman

Star man

Nico O’Reilly - Whether at left-back or in midfield, O’Reilly is an incredible threat in the box.

The youngster’s energy and determination to win the ball in the air has proved a real asset but never more so than today.

With all attention on the likes of Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, O’Reilly twice ghosted into the box and was clinical when the opportunity came his way.

As a match winner at Wembley the day after his 21st birthday, he’s already lived the boyhood dream of City fans the world over.

Stunning City support

This was our 22nd visit to Wembley since Pep Guardiola took charge back in the summer of 2016.

Averaging more than two trips a season to the national stadium for a decade not only highlights the incredible success under our Catalan, but also our outstanding backing.

To again see our half of Wembley packed out in blue and white, despite the significant implications of such regular returns alongside the relentless domestic and European schedule, was a true testament to you: our fans.

A Poznan broke out even before kick-off, while you backed us loudly throughout and were rightly rewarded with yet another trophy!

Nine out of 10

City’s League Cup final record is not to be sniffed at.

We’ve competed in this showpiece on nine occasions, winning it nine times and losing just the once - to Wolves in 1974.

That means we’ve also been successful in each of the last eight times we’ve appeared at Wembley for this springtime special.

Only Liverpool have lifted it more than City, while no manager has ever won this prize as many times as Pep Guardiola on five.

Pep’s reaction

“When you win a trophy is important. It was special because we had a tough two weeks. What they did in the Champions League is so difficult.

“In the first 15 minutes they suffocated us, we could not breathe. After that we won some second balls and started to play.

“I’m really pleased because Mikel created a team that is almost unbeatable. A fifth Carabao Cup in 10 years is not bad. Every time you win a title it looks more difficult than in the past. it is really difficult for many reasons.”

O’Reilly reaction

“Unbelievable feeling.

“To win a final and to beat this team, we know how good they are.

“We need to build on it now, it’ll give us momentum, and buzzing with today.

“I had a a bit of disbelief to see the fans celebrate like that when I scored my goals.

“Since I was a kid, I always played midfield and was always arriving in the box and scoring goals.

“To bring it into a senior level and the highest level, it’s good for me and brings goals to my game. It’s a great feeling.”

Bernardo reaction

“The first 15 minutes felt difficult, they were able to create a big chance where James Trafford was amazing for us. Second half we tried to go for them a bit more.

“We felt they lost a bit of energy and when we felt that we had to go even more for them.

“Nico O’Reilly is really good at arriving in the box in those moments. We were lucky to score the first one and when we are on top we can find the spaces.

“In a final you know both teams are going to have momentum. Arsenal’s was the first 10 or 15 minutes. In those moments you fight together to make it as short as possible. We have the firepower to go for them as well.”

What it means

City win the League Cup for a ninth time in our history. Only Liverpool, on 10, have ever lifted the trophy more times than us.

By claiming his fifth winner’s medal, Pep Guardiola has now set the record for the most League Cup successes as a manager. He’s moved ahead of Brian Clough, Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.

What’s next

The final international break of the 2025/26 season is now upon us.

City will return to action on Saturday 4 April when we host Liverpool in the quarter-final of the FA Cup in a 12:45 (UK) kick-off before getting back to Premier League action the following week.