Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City
After a few weeks in which Pep Guardiola’s tactics have been questioned, one look at the Manchester City team sheet for the EFL Cup final made you wonder if the critics had been right all along.
The fact Marc Guehi couldn’t play was already known as the former Crystal Palace captain was cup-tied having featured in earlier rounds of the competition.
But no Ruben Dias, John Stones on the bench and Nathan Ake handed a rare start at centre-back. Really?
Of course, there were legitimate reasons why, but to see City’s best three centre-backs absent must have given the Gunners fans a lift before kick-off, especially as the North Londoners named arguably their strongest XI with the exception of captain Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze who had not recovered from the knock that saw him substituted during their midweek victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Fast-forward 90 minutes and the laugh was on anyone who doubted the Spanish coach.
Highlights of the Game
Make no mistake: this was a statement win from City, who had been second favourites in our EFL Cup 2026 betting odds.
This SBOTOP scribe had a leaning for City, as mentioned in the preview, described as a big final with big permutations.
Yet, in a repeat of the 2018 final, many people fancied the Gunners against opponents who were travelling to Wembley off the back of a European exit at the hands of Real Madrid for the third successive season. At the same time, Arsenal had made their way to the quarter-finals.
In truth, perhaps to be expected from the top two sides in the country, there was very little to choose between Guardiola’s men and Arsenal, who have only ever won the EFL Cup twice before (1987 and 1993).
It could have been different but for an impressive triple early save from James Trafford, who has been chosen to play in this competition at the expense of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Only seven minutes had passed when Martín Zubimendi sent Kai Havertz through on goal but Trafford managed to block and then save not one but two rebounds from Bukayo Saka.
The ball stayed out though and City grew into the contest after the break.
The decisive moment came on the hour and, once it was followed up four minutes later, Arsenal were consigned to finishing EFL Cup runners-up for a seventh time, a competition record.
Just as Arsenal gained a further advantage in the title race last weekend due to a goalkeeping error – and I still expect them to go on and end their six-year wait for silverware (Community Shields aside) – this time the mistake between the sticks was their own.
Quite what Kepa Arrizabalaga was thinking when Rayan Cherki fired at goal was unclear, but it should have been a simple stop. Instead, the Spaniard – another reserve goalkeeper given the nod in this competition – spilled the ball and youngster Nico O’Reilly couldn’t believe his luck as he headed into an empty net.
When Matheus Nunes delivered a pinpoint looping cross towards the back post a few moments later, full-back O’Reilly was again left unmarked and he directed a second header beyond Arrizabalaga.
Guardiola was booked for his celebration but he wouldn’t care as his side were homing in on victory.
While many of Arsenal’s players underperformed on the day, City were a different team in the second half, led by their tireless and tigerish captain Bernardo Silva, creative in midfield in his 43rd game of the season.
And, of course, their unlikely hero O’Reilly.
Guardiola, up against his former assistant Mikel Arteta, wore the smile of a man who knew he had delivered more silverware as he approaches a decade in charge at Eastlands.
He has also now become the first manager to win this trophy five times after lifting the cup in four consecutive seasons from 2018-2021.
The EFL Cup 2026 highlights are sky blue.
Key Statistics
O’Reilly is the third youngest player to score twice in an EFL Cup final after Wayne Rooney in 2006 (20 years 125 days for Man Utd) and Ronnie Whelan in 1982 (20y 169d for Liverpool).
Manchester City have won nine of their last 10 EFL Cup finals.
Arsenal had been undefeated in their last six matches against City, and unbeaten in their last 14 games across all competitions, until today.
What’s Next?
It’s international break now and then the big games keep coming. Arsenal travel to Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Easter Saturday before a Champions League quarter-final first leg at Sporting Lisbon three days later. City entertain Liverpool in their own FA Cup quarter-final on Easter Saturday.
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