Man City beat Arsenal as O’Reilly double wins Carabao Cup

Manchester City Carabao Cup win over Arsenal was decided in a ruthless four-minute spell at Wembley, as Nico O’Reilly scored twice to secure a 2-0 victory and hand Pep Guardiola another piece of silverware.

In what was billed as a clash between the Premier League’s top two, Arsenal started brightly but faded as the match progressed. City seized control after the break, with O’Reilly’s quickfire double proving decisive and ending Arsenal’s hopes of lifting the trophy.

The breakthrough arrived in the 60th minute, and it came from a costly error. Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to deal with Rayan Cherki’s cross, allowing O’Reilly to head into an empty net from close range.

Just four minutes later, the same combination of positioning and delivery punished Arsenal again. This time, Matheus Nunes supplied the cross, and O’Reilly guided another header beyond Kepa to double City’s advantage.

That burst effectively settled the final and allowed Manchester City to control the closing stages without major difficulty.

Arsenal began with intent, creating early chances that suggested they could trouble City’s defensive structure. A strong run to the by-line led to an opportunity for Kai Havertz, while Bukayo Saka forced a series of saves from James Trafford in a hectic sequence.

Piero Hincapié also threatened from a set-piece, heading over as Arsenal maintained early pressure.

However, City gradually grew into the contest. By the end of the first half, the momentum had shifted, with Erling Haaland going close and the team beginning to impose themselves physically and tactically.

That control intensified after the break, with City creating repeated openings before finally breaking through.

The victory marks Manchester City’s ninth League Cup triumph and Pep Guardiola’s fifth success in the competition, making him the most successful manager in its history.

City have maintained a strong record in the tournament in recent years, and this latest win reinforces their consistency in domestic cup competitions.

For Arsenal, the defeat represents a fourth consecutive League Cup final loss, extending a long wait for success in the competition.

Arsenal remain firmly in contention on multiple fronts despite the setback, with their focus now shifting to the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Having followed Arsenal closely this season, their early performance at Wembley showed intent, but the inability to maintain that level against sustained pressure proved costly.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about their broader campaign, particularly given their strong league position.

Manchester City will look to build on this success as they continue their push across multiple competitions, with momentum boosted by another trophy win.

Arsenal, meanwhile, must respond quickly, with upcoming fixtures in the Premier League and Europe likely to define their season. Maintaining focus after a cup final defeat will be critical.