O'Reilly's Brace Sinks Arsenal as Man City Claim Ninth Carabao Cup at Wembley

Posted : 23 March 2026

Manchester City claimed the Carabao Cup for a ninth time at Wembley, with academy graduate Nico O'Reilly scoring a second-half brace to defeat Arsenal 2-0 in the first-ever League Cup final between the top two sides in the Premier League.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, selected ahead of Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, was at fault for the opener. He allowed Rayan Cherki's right-wing cross to squirm through his hands, leaving O'Reilly with an open goal at the far post in the 60th minute. The 21-year-old did not stop there. Just four minutes later, O'Reilly made a 20-yard run from deep and headed back across goal to make it 2-0, a killer blow that left Arsenal stunned.

O'Reilly became the third-youngest player to score a brace in a League Cup final, behind Wayne Rooney for Manchester United against Wigan in 2006 and Ronnie Whelan for Liverpool against Spurs in 1982. He earned the man-of-the-match award on the day after his birthday, having turned 21 on Saturday.

Arsenal had started the brighter side. City goalkeeper James Trafford produced an early triple save, denying Kai Havertz before blocking two Bukayo Saka follow-up efforts to keep the scores level. The first half remained even, but the Gunners grew passive after the break and paid a heavy price. Riccardo Calafiori hit a post and substitute Gabriel Jesus struck the crossbar as Arsenal pushed for a response, but City held firm.

Jeremy Doku was equally influential for City, winning 12 duels, completing six dribbles, and winning possession seven times; the first player to record such figures in an FA Cup or League Cup final since Eden Hazard in the 2019 League Cup final. Cherki, who joined from Lyon last summer, was directly involved in both goals and continued to justify his billing as one of City's most exciting new additions.

The victory is Guardiola's 19th major honour as City manager, and he becomes the first manager in history to win the Carabao Cup five times. For Arsenal, the defeat extends their wait for a trophy to six years, their last coming in the 2020 FA Cup. The Gunners remain nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, but City have a game in hand and welcome Arsenal to the Etihad on April 19. Their quadruple dream is over; the title race, however, is not.

O'Reilly's Brace Sinks Arsenal as Man City Claim Ninth Carabao Cup at Wembley

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