By our reporter 22.3.2026
Manchester City delightfully lifted the League Cup Sunday beating Arsenal 2-0 at the Wembley Stadium.
Arsenal favorites for the title fizzled out in second half after a good start and having good chances to punish City, but Mikel Arteta’s decision start Kepa Arrizabalaga perhaps came back to haunt the title chasing Gunners.
Kepa was unable to deal with Raya Cherki’s cross from the right, the ball slip through his fingers to hand Nico O’Reilly freedom to head into an open net from six yards. O’Reilly doubled his tally just five minutes later to have City a confidence boosting win.
Speaking on why he left out in-form David Raya Arteta said: “I made a decision before the game based on what Kepa has done all season, the fact he has played in the competition and helped us be where we are today. It would have been very unfair to choose a different one.”
He added that it was a disappointing outcome.
“Today is a disappointment. We need to use that fire in the belly for the next two months to have an incredible season.”
“Painful, especially for our player and supporters because we really wanted to lift that trophy today. It was two very different halves, especially the first half when I think we were better than them and had the best two chances of the game.”
Former Manchester United defender Garry Neville said the defeat might affect Arsenal in their chase for the Premier League title.
“City have dealt Arsenal a huge blow,” Neville said on Sky Sports.
“Arsenal must now try to recover.
“Mikel Arteta has got a big, big job now in these coming weeks.”
