Heart-break as Man City defeat Arsenal to win ninth Carabao Cup

The match

Nico O’Reilly scored a second-half brace to lead Manchester City to a 2-0 win to claim the Carabao Cup at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, thus breaking the hearts of Arsenal fans globally.

The 21-year-old fullback was the unlikely hero for Pep Guardiola and City in a match that the Cityzens dominated for long spells.

Arsenal was the first side to threaten, with James Trafford, City’s goalkeeper, making a triple save to keep the score level. The rest of the first half was Arsenal trying to catch City on free-kicks and corner kicks without success, while Man City could not find the final pass in their attacking plays.

O’Reilly, however, broke the deadlock on 60 minutes when Bernardo Silva’s cross was dropped by Kepa Arrizabalaga, who started in goal for Arsenal, allowing the youngster to head home for 1-0 on 60 minutes. He doubled the lead four minutes later, arriving on time to slot home Matheus Nunes’ cross to send Guardiola into wild celebrations.

Arsenal tried to mount a comeback, but Ricardo Calafiori’s volley hit the base of the post, and Man City saw out the victory to end a run of three matches without a win.

Guardiola also became the first manager to win the Carabao Cup on five occasions, as City claimed their ninth Carabao Cup trophy, and first since 2021.

The defeat, however, ended Arsenal’s dream of a quadruple title this season. Thecable