Arsenal 0 – 2 Man City

Manchester City won the Carabao Cup as Nico O’Reilly’s double clinched a 2-0 win over Arsenal to end their hopes of a quadruple.

The full-back’s goals, both headers, came in the space of four second-half minutes to leave Arsenal stunned and clinch a record fifth League Cup success for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, selected ahead of Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, was at fault for the opener as he allowed Rayan Cherki’s right-wing cross to squirm through his hands, leaving O’Reilly with an open goal at the far post.

Arsenal’s first cup final appearance since their 2020 FA Cup triumph went from bad to worse when O’Reilly headed home another cross, this time from Matheus Nunes, to spark more City celebrations.

Arsenal hit the woodwork twice, through substitutes Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Jesus, as they tried to rally, but Manchester City showed their greater experience as they saw out the closing stages to leave their opponents’ quadruple hopes in tatters.

The afternoon had started positively for Arsenal as they forced James Trafford, who enjoyed a contrasting afternoon to his opposite number in goal, into an early triple save as he denied Kai Havertz before blocking two Bukayo Saka follow-up efforts.

But after an even first half, Guardiola’s side seized control of the game in the second period, pinning Arsenal in their own half before the pressure told in a dizzying four-minute spell which may have repercussions in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners are nine points clear of their rivals at the top of the table but Manchester City have a game in hand welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium, live on Sky Sports on April 19.