Manchester City capitalised on a costly error from Kepa Arrizabalaga to claim the League Cup, as Nico O’Reilly’s quickfire brace secured a 2–0 victory over Arsenal in Sunday’s Wembley final.
Kepa, whose history in this competition has been far from smooth, endured another difficult night on the big stage. The turning point came early in the second half when he fumbled Rayan Cherki’s cross, allowing O’Reilly a simple finish from close range.
Just four minutes later, O’Reilly struck again, doubling City’s lead and effectively sealing the club’s ninth League Cup triumph. The win also marked Pep Guardiola’s record fifth success in the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Kepa ahead of first-choice David Raya ultimately backfired. The Spaniard’s previous League Cup struggles, most notably his refusal to be substituted in the 2019 final and his missed penalty in the 2022 showpiece, only added to the scrutiny, and this latest mistake proved just as decisive.
For Arsenal, the defeat was a significant setback. It ended their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple and denied them a first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup. While Arteta’s cautious approach drew criticism, their season remains very much alive, with a strong Premier League title push and upcoming quarter-finals in both the FA Cup and Champions League.
City, meanwhile, badly needed a statement victory. Having fallen behind Arsenal in the league and exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage against Real Madrid, this triumph offered a timely boost.
Guardiola’s future at the club remains uncertain amid ongoing speculation, but his animated celebrations after the final whistle, marking his 15th major trophy with City, suggest his competitive drive is as strong as ever.
Now, City will hope this victory can serve as a springboard in their pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
The final itself began with Arsenal on the front foot. Kai Havertz came close after being played through by Martin Zubimendi, but City goalkeeper James Trafford produced an outstanding triple save, denying Havertz before twice thwarting Bukayo Saka from the rebound.
Despite Arsenal’s energetic pressing, clear chances were scarce. Even their usual threat from set-pieces failed to materialise, with Piero Hincapié heading over from a Saka corner.
City emerged transformed after the break, applying sustained pressure that eventually told. Kepa narrowly avoided further punishment after a rash challenge outside his area on Jérémy Doku, but his reprieve was short-lived.
The breakthrough arrived just past the hour mark. Rodri’s clipped pass found Bernardo Silva, who fed Cherki for a cross that should have been routine. Instead, Kepa’s handling error handed O’Reilly the opener.
Arsenal never recovered. Within minutes, Matheus Nunes delivered a precise cross to the far post, where O’Reilly outpaced Saka to head home his second.
Guardiola’s touchline sprint and fist-pumping celebration captured the significance of the moment, and when the final whistle blew, City’s players celebrated the end of their brief trophy drought in emphatic fashion.
AFP
