The Citizens won their first trophy since the 2024 Community Shield on Sunday, triumphing over the Gunners at the end of a close match (2-0).
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A trophy that looks like a consolation prize. Eliminated by Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the Champions League, and won by their opponent of the day in the league, Manchester City dominated Arsenal in the final of the English League Cup (2-0), Sunday March 22 at Wembley. Deprived of a trophy for the first time in eight years last year, Pep Guardiola’s men are rediscovering the joys of a coronation.
Little threatened but sterile in their domination, the Citizens relied on Nico O’Reilly, scorer twice around the hour mark, receiving crosses from Rayan Cherki (60th) then Matheus Nunes (64th). Arsenal reacted too late, and without success, the crossbar refusing to reduce the gap to Gabriel Jesus at the end of the match (88th).
Before this lightning double, the expected shock had long remained padlocked. No team had a real chance in the first half, with the exception of a triple save from Skyblues goalkeeper James Trafford, in front of Kai Havertz then Bukayo Saka twice (7th minute). Pep Guardiola’s men also waited until the 44th minute to strike on goal, on a somewhat desperate and blocked attempt by Jérémy Doku.
Once masters of the League Cup, which they won six times in eight years between 2014 and 2021, the Citizens won it for the first time in five years. Arsenal have not won the competition since 1993.
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