Arsenal’s unfortunate pattern has started to take shape again, and this time it came with silverware on the line. Mikel Arteta’s side lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, with Nico O’Reilly scoring twice in four second-half minutes to decide the game.
For a team leading the Premier League, in the Champions League quarter-finals against Sporting CP, and still in the FA Cup, this was meant to be a statement result. Instead, their hopes of a quadruple are over, and questions around handling big games have returned.
The first half was controlled but flat. Arsenal had more possession but did little with it. City stayed compact and waited for errors.
The game turned just after the hour mark, and it turned quickly.
KEPA’S HORROR NIGHT AT WEMBLEY
Arteta stuck with Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had played every round in the competition. The decision did not work.
Kepa had already looked unsure early in the second half when he rushed out and fouled Jeremy Doku, earning a yellow card.
In the 60th minute, he made a bigger mistake. A routine cross slipped through his hands and fell to Nico O’Reilly, who headed City into the lead.
Four minutes later, it was 2-0. Matheus Nunes delivered a cross and O’Reilly scored again with a clean header.
Arsenal pushed forward but lacked quality in the final third. They hit the bar late on but did not do enough to trouble City.
Kepa’s errors changed the game, and Arsenal never recovered.
NICO O’REILLY EXTENDS DREAM WEEK
Nico O’Reilly made the difference.
The 21-year-old scored both goals in quick succession to settle the final. His first came from reacting to Kepa’s mistake. The second was a well-timed header from Nunes’ cross.
It capped a strong week for the youngster after his England call-up and birthday.
For Guardiola, this is his fifth League Cup title, the most by any manager in the competition.
City get the first trophy of the season.
Arsenal remain in the Premier League title race, the Champions League, and the FA Cup. But this result ends their chances of winning everything and brings back focus on how they perform in decisive games.
– Ends
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