Carabao Cup news: Arsenal and Mikel Arteta left frustrated as Man City, Pep Guardiola seal glory
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola secured a 2-0 victory over rivals Arsenal and Mikel Arteta in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, writes Sports News Blitz’s Tyler Cooke.
After a quiet first half, the game burst into life when Nico O’Reilly scored twice in just two minutes and 30 seconds early in the second half, capitalising on an error by Kepa Arrizabalaga for the first.
Guardiola’s side ultimately showed greater composure and a clinical edge on the big stage, turning up when it mattered, while Arsenal struggled to find rhythm and failed to convert key chances.
The result handed Guardiola his fifth League Cup trophy and ended Arsenal’s hopes of landing their first silverware in over six years.
Goalkeeping gamble backfires
The decision to leave Arsenal number one David Raya on the bench for the Carabao Cup final ultimately proved to be a costly mistake.
Arteta started Kepa after the 31-year-old had featured throughout the competition as a gesture of loyalty.
That selection quickly came under scrutiny when Kepa’s error led directly to the opening goal, handing City the momentum in a game Arsenal never truly got a hold of.
After the match, Arteta defended his choice by insisting it was “fair” based on performances in earlier rounds.
“I have to do what I feel is right, which is honest and which is fair, and I think we have an understanding with Kepa,” he explained.
“He’s played all the competition and I think it would have been very, very unfair for him and for the team to do something different.”
Many pundits and former players argued that finals demand the strongest possible XI, suggesting that the Arsenal manager should have gone for Raya who is the established number one goalkeeper.
READ MORE: Man Utd settle for draw against Bournemouth ahead of international break
Two managers’ thoughts
Guardiola clearly didn’t want to hide the fact that he was over the moon with the result, especially as it could end up being the reason he stays at City.
“I am a human being and I want to celebrate,” he said.
“It was not showing disrespect to Arsenal or for the other fans – I just celebrated with my people. And when I feel it, I express it.”
Whilst one manager was celebrating with his team, Arteta had his head in his hands as Arsenal yet again failed to lift a trophy.
“Very sad, very hard one to take, especially for our players and our supporters, because we know how much it means to them and how much we want it,” Arteta admitted.
“And the fact that we haven’t managed to deliver that obviously is disappointing and sad, and it leaves you with a really bad taste.”
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