The League Cup once felt like the personal property of Pep Guardiola, and on Sunday at Wembley, he officially reclaimed the deed. Manchester City ignored their "underdog" tag to dismantle Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-0, securing the first silverware of the 2025-26 season.
While Arsenal arrived at Wembley as the pre-eminent force in English football, they left completely battered and bruised. The night belonged to 21-year-old Nico O’Reilly, who celebrated his birthday weekend with two decisive headers, and James Trafford, whose early-game heroics ensured City’s trumped Arsenal.
The post-match autopsy will undoubtedly center on Mikel Arteta’s decision to start second-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Despite David Raya’s league-leading 15 clean sheets, Arteta opted for fairness by sticking with his cup specialist. It was a gamble that backfired spectacularly.
In the 60th minute, Kepa fumbled a Rayan Cherki cross, allowing O’Reilly to nod home the opener. In stark contrast, City’s own cup keeper, James Trafford, produced a stunning triple-save in the opening seven minutes to deny Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
I have to do what I feel is right, honest and fair... It would have been very, very unfair for him [Kepa] to do something different. We’re going to use this disappointment and this fire in the belly to have the most amazing two months.
Mikel Arteta, Manager, Arsenal
Nico O’Reilly, who turned 21 on Saturday, delivered the performance of a lifetime. Primarily a defender, O’Reilly has been transformed into a versatile asset by Guardiola this season.
Opener (60'): Reacted quickest after Kepa fumbled Cherki's delivery.
Double (64'): Arrived at the far post to guide home a Matheus Nunes cross, sparking wild celebrations from the City dugout.
Guardiola celebrated the goals with such intensity, including a sprint down the touchline, that he earned a booking.
I’m not yet artificial intelligence, I’m a human being with emotions and I express it.
Pep Guardiola, Manager, Manchester City
While Arsenal remain nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, this defeat leaves a psychological scar. Arsenal’s quest for an unprecedented quadruple is over, and the "boring, boring Arsenal" chants from the City end will ring in their ears as they return to league action.
City, with a game in hand and a home fixture against Arsenal scheduled for April 19, will view this victory as the catalyst for a late-season charge.
Kepa curse: Kepa Arrizabalaga has now lost all three League Cup finals he has appeared in (2019, 2022, 2026).
Trafford’s redemption: Originally re-signed to be #1 before Donnarumma's arrival, Trafford proved his worth with a clean sheet in the final.
Missing magic: Arsenal sorely missed the creativity of Eberechi Eze, who was sidelined with a calf injury.
Pep’s decade of dominance: This was the 5th League Cup and 16th major trophy of Guardiola’s Manchester City tenure.
