Sunday saw the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley Stadium as almost 90,000 fans crammed into the famous stadium to witness the first major silverware of the season decided.
After a mixed week in Europe, which saw Arsenal progress comfortably, while Manchester City exited the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid, the managers named strong teams for the final.
After a frenzied build up and the national anthems, the teams took to the field with the managers naming the following starting XI’s.
Subs – Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Yann Mosquera, David Raya, Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Jesus, David Raya (GK)
Manager – Mikel Arteta
Subs – Rayan Ait Nouri, Phil Foden, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Omar Marmoush, Savinho, Tijiani Reijnders, John Stones, Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Manager – Pep Guardiola
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Arsenal began the first half more brightly, but the Gunners found Manchester City’s defence a tough one to breach. Declan Rice was dominating in midfield, but despite possession, Arsenal failed to create any clear cut chances in what was a disappointing first half truth be told.
The Gunners best moment came early in the game, where City keeper James Trafford was called into action three times in the space of a few seconds to block goalbound shots as the ball pinged around the City box, only for the Citizens to eventually clear the ball.
A couple of contentious moments aside, the first half will not be remembered as one of the iconic 45 minutes of football as both teams went in at the half level at 0-0 and with both managers thinking about how they can break the deadlock.
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In sharp contrast to the first half, the second half began much more brightly, but only for the Citizens in Sky Blue. Pep Guardiola’s team dominated possession at the start of the second half and Arsenal’s labouring over the ball just encouraged CIty to keep at them.
However, it took a goalkeeping error for City to take the lead and deservedly so. City worked the ball into the box well where Semenyo’s cross-shot was fumbled by Kepa and Nico O’Reilly stopped in front of Martin Zubimendi to head the ball into the unguarded net.
It was a deserved goal for City who had dominated the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Like many, they probably expected a fightback from Arsenal, but instead, it was the Citizens who found the net again. Another great team move saw Rodri play a lovely reverse ball to Nunes whose curling cross was met at the far post by Nico O’Reilly once again for his second headed goal of the game.
With a two goal lead, City sat back and Arsenal began to gain an upper hand in terms of possession, but still chances were few and far between. Riccardo Calafiori’s half volley was their best effort which clipped the outside of the City post before drifting wide.
Late in the game, substitute Gabriel Jesus saw his looping header beat James Trafford in the City goal, but it bounced back off the crossbar and as Arsenal’s desperation increased, gaps were left which City could exploit to either run time down, or try to score a third.
Arsenal huffed and puffed but could not muster a breakthrough as their hopes of a first trophy for Mikel Arteta ended with a whimper.
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Bernardo Silva lifted the trophy in front of jubilant City fans as Pep Guardiola’s love affair with the Carabao Cup continued and Mikel Arteta’s quest for a first trophy as Arsenal manager continues and he will be disappointed at how his team wilted in the second half, handing the initiative to City who needed no persuading to take full advantage to claim the win.
Both teams players now head off to the international break, but will be back in action in two weeks in the FA Cup Quarter Finals, when Arsenal face Southampton away from home and Man City have a home tie against Liverpool.
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