Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City: Nico O’Reilly’s second-half double seals Pep Guardiola’s side’s first trophy of the season as they win the Carabao Cup at Wembley as the Gunners have to lick their wounds.
Man City star Nico O’Reilly took center stage as they beat Arsenal to win the Carabao Cup
Manchester City received a full boost after winning the Carabao Cup, defeating Arsenal in the process to claim their first trophy of the season.
Pep Guardiola was back-to-back winners of the competition, but it was Nico O’Reilly who rose to the occasion, scoring two goals in four minutes to propel the Manchester side towards yet another victory at Wembley.
Arsenal’s dream of winning a quadruple title disappeared as the Premier League leaders failed to show up in the second half, when City really turned up the heat. O’Reilly’s first goal was due to a blunder from Kepa Arrizabalaga, who dropped a cross into the left-back’s path.
O’Reilly, now a regular in England’s squad, ignited the final by heading home from just a few yards out. Kepa was helpless to prevent City from doubling their lead and it wasn’t long before another well-timed header from Matheus Nunez doubled the score.
Both teams started at number two and while Kepa had a memorable game, it was James Trafford who had his bright moments early on, making a triple save. The lack of time did not diminish his sharpness, and he first denied Kai Havertz before saving twice from Bukayo Saka’s attempts in a quick session.
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The first goal is always going to be a big one and the afternoon might have been very different had it gone to Arsenal, but City showed what a winning machine they are, with Guardiola vowing not to go two years without a trophy. Here are five talking points from Wembley.
Advantage City
Recent draws with Nottingham Forest and West Ham have left Guardiola with a lot of work to do in the remaining weeks of the season, but another knife-point at Arsenal will leave City feeling like their dreams could be shattered once again.
Nico O’Reilly scored twice early in the second half.
In the second half it felt like they were winning points for the quality of their performance and the way they continued to attack a team considered by many to be the best in Europe would serve as a reminder that they are not heading anywhere yet. City have often used the Carabao Cup as a springboard to bigger things. Arsenal are on high alert. Watch this space.
O’Reilly final
Back in 2005, there was a final in which Steven Gerrard led Liverpool from defeat to victory in Cardiff. Older Arsenal fans may remember Alan Sunderland’s thrilling five-goal victory over Manchester United in the 1979 final.
Now, in 2026, Nico O’Reilly’s finals have arrived. The left-back, making his first break in 18 months, found himself in the right position at the right time twice in quick succession. These goals put City on the path to yet another final victory. The least likely goalscorer, but the player in blue doesn’t care one bit. O’Reilly’s place in history is secure.
Kepa dropped the ball into the path of Man City’s left-back, who opened the scoring.
The wait continues
Arsenal may very well win the Premier League, but this was a chance to dispel the narrative that they can’t get over the line. Despite their recent progress, the Gunners have not won a trophy since winning the FA Cup at Wembley in 2020.
Back on the same pitch, they could have lifted the trophy, even if it was seen as the least desired trophy of the season. It would have been a huge improvement to win that and get one over over his direct title rivals in the process. But that opportunity has passed on them, and while the mental damage may not become apparent until May, they look defeated at times and this will be difficult to digest.
Kepacor
The Arsenal goalkeeper likes to put himself front and center in Carabao Cup finals, but not necessarily for the right reasons. Back seven years ago, he was playing in Chelsea’s game against City and famously refused to come on as a substitute despite being told time was up.
James Trafford, usually Man City’s number two, started and made some great saves in the first half.
The Gunners’ current number two was selected ahead of David Raya, but how much of a regret will that be for Arteta? The Spaniard drew his fate when he pulled back Jeremy Dok and went wide of goal, receiving a yellow card. However, it was his rampage that allowed the first goal. He failed to catch a routine cross and dropped it into O’Reilly’s path, and the rest is history.
slow burner comes back to life
In the final match, both teams were determined not to concede, especially in the first half. The defense was at the top of its game, as you would expect from Arsenal, but City’s back line was equally difficult to break through. Even long periods of possession didn’t always end in opportunities or chances.
As a result, it was difficult to achieve goal-based action. Neither team wanted to blink first as a first goal would likely be crucial. Both teams’ most powerful attacking tools were largely ineffective, the game became protracted and unraveling, and City were privileged to win the game by a narrow margin.
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