Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City: Nico O’Reilly was the winner for Pep Guardiola’s side on an afternoon that could have implications for the Premier League title race.
Josep Guardiola celebrates Manchester City’s goal in style in the Carabao Cup final (Image: Catherine Ivill/AMA)
Josep Guardiola ran down the touchline in wild celebration. Nico O’Reilly, the hero of Manchester City’s homegrown victory, had just scored the second goal that renewed Guardiola’s great love for the Carabao Cup.
O’Reilly, who was 21 on the eve of the final, is a proud Mantunian and even has a tattoo of his hometown phone number, 0161, as a reward for being one of City’s standout players this season.
But it was also a big moment for City and Guardiola, and the manager’s celebrations said everything about his hunger and desire to win. Will he leave after the season? Not this passion.
Incredibly, Guardiola has now won five times, more than twice as many as Arsenal, who have only won twice in their history, and the excitement will only increase for the rest of the season.
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Those who disrespected City spoke too soon. It happened all too often. Something similar has happened to Arsenal in two of the past three seasons, with City chasing or overtaking Arsenal in the title race.
Suddenly, Arsenal’s nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League won’t seem so insurmountable. City have a game in hand and we know they will beat Arsenal.
Moreover, Guardiola returned to see off his pupil and once again defeated former number two Mikel Arteta. Arteta won only four of his 17 games, while Guardiola won 10 of them.
It was another harsh lesson for Arsenal about their role as number two keeper. The tenacity with Kepa Arrizabalaga, who played until the round, was all very impressive, but first-choice keeper David Raya was one of the best players of the season.
Nico O’Reilly was Manchester City’s winner in the Carabao Cup final
Kepa could have easily been sent off for shouting at O’Reilly’s first goal, and it’s simply not Raya’s league. We are talking about Kepa, who has a history of reaching the finals of this competition.
While at Chelsea in 2019, Kepa refused to be sent off when the match went to penalties and City won the shootout. That should have been enough warning. But let’s be clear: it wasn’t just Kepa’s mistake. Arsenal almost didn’t play. They were very disappointed and lost to City.
Suddenly, Arsenal’s dream of winning four titles ended. Of course, there’s still a chance we can win three more. However, this gives City confidence that they can turn their season around.
Arsenal were too negative. By the time the final whistle blew, the Arsenal end was almost deserted. City fans celebrated and serenaded O’Reilly. What a great story!
O’Reilly has been playing more in midfield lately, but this time he was an unstoppable force from left-back, twice hitting the back post with a header. He is enjoying this glory and looking forward to the World Cup.
City’s academy graduate scores two goals in four minutes to win the Carabao Cup
Arsenal at least got off to a good start. Martin Zvimendi had three big chances after breaking free from Kai Havertz, but City keeper James Trafford saved them and Bukayo Saka twice blocked them.
It was a terrible first half. Incredibly, this was the first time that the top two players from the top league were competing in this final. But this was very bad advertising for the Premier League.
City were much better after half-time. Kepa misjudged a long ball, pulling Jeremy Doku back and looked horrified when he was booked. This appeared to be an escape and hand the initiative to City.
The first goal came at the same time. Kepa spilled Rayan Cherki’s cross, but Kepa couldn’t quite reach it. O’Reilly sneaked home.
Four minutes later, it was 2-0. Matheus Nunez’s cross found Arsenal again, Saka switched on and O’Reilly slipped out again to head home.
Arsenal tried to fight back. Substitute Riccardo Calafioli headed Trafford wide. Gabriel Jesus hit the bar. But it was too little, too late. The day belonged to City. And the season may still be the same.
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