Two second-half headers by Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly settled the English season’s first silverware on Sunday, as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at the Wembley Stadium.
Premier League leaders Arsenal arrived as favourites to win their first trophy since 2020 but could have no complaints as City deservedly won the competition for the ninth time.
After a first-half stalemate City went up a gear after the break and O’Reilly capitalised on a fumble by Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to head in on the hour.
Arsenal had not won the League Cup since 1993, but Sunday’s game offered a chance for the Gunners to take some weight off shoulders.
However, Manchester City doubled its advantage four minutes later when O’Reilly met a cross by Matheus Nunes to silence the Arsenal fans at Wembley.
Arsenal huffed and puffed and hit the bar late on but showed little invention as talk of a possible quadruple ended abruptly.
Mikel Arteta’s side simply failed to show up though and will now have to dust themselves down after the international break as they try to clinch a first Premier League title since 2004 and continue their quest for the FA Cup and Champions League.
“We need to have some perspective and what this team has done in the last eight months is incredible,” Arteta told reporters.
“Now we have to go through the pain and disappointment. We have a good history of reacting well.”