This one is special because we went through two difficult weeks.
It is thanks to excellent Doku, Cherki and Rodri and especially two headed goals from young Nico O’Reilly (including one after an error from Kepa, preferred to Raya) that the Citizens won their ninth League Cup. “I’m on cloud nine. I found it a little hard to believe it when I saw all the supporters cheering for me. It was really a great feeling and a great birthday weekend.”smiled O’Reilly, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola also becomes the first coach in history to win this cup five times (19 trophies in total with City). While Manchester City also broke a record, becoming the first club to win fifteen times at Wembley Stadium (as a neutral ground) since its reopening in 2007.
What future for Pep Guardiola with Manchester City? “Everyone wants to fire me”
Arsenal tremble
The evening, however, brought back bad memories for the Gunners. With this fourth defeat in a row in the League Cup final, Arsenal now hold the longest run of finals without a win in the history of the competition.
“It’s really a sad day.admitted by Arteta. It’s painful, especially for our players and our supporters, because we really wanted to lift this trophy. The two halves were very different, especially the first one where I think we were better than them and we had the two best chances of the game.”
We must tap into this rage to win.
Inevitably, fans are wondering if this season will end without a title again, as their team remains top of the Premier League with a nine-point lead (but one game more) over City. It now remains to be seen what effect this final will have, both on the Gunners (still 7 games to play in the PL) and the Citizens (8).
“Honestly, I would love to be nine points ahead. It’s all in their hands”reacted Guardiola who also appreciates this role of hunter. “We had an exceptional eight months with this team. Today is a disappointment. But we have to tap into this rage to win over the next two months to have an incredible season.”for his part motivated Arteta, while the two teams will face each other on April 19 for perhaps the title match.
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