Pep Guardiola’s exuberant celebration and energetic run down Wembley’s touchline underlined that his appetite for trophies remains undiminished. His delight followed Nico O’Reilly’s second headed goal in four minutes, which sealed Manchester City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal and handed Guardiola a record fifth win in the competition.
Lost in the moment, Guardiola pumped his fists and embraced his players and staff after the final whistle. When asked about his celebrations he joked he wanted another yellow card, adding that his reactions came from genuine emotion tied to the way his team played. “I am not artificially intelligent, I am a human being, and I want to celebrate,” he said.
Arsenal, by contrast, left Wembley dejected. They missed an opportunity to lift their first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup after a performance that often lacked attacking ambition and urgency until it was too late. City’s aim was not only to win the EFL Cup but to deliver a dominant display that might rattle Arsenal, who still hold a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Manchester City made that statement; Arsenal faltered.
Whether the result will have wider consequences is open to question. Could it inspire a late City surge in the title race? Might it unsettle Arsenal? City will hope they have inflicted psychological damage; Arsenal must regroup and show the resilience that has sustained their season. On the day, the superior team prevailed. This version of City, though rebuilt from the side that won four straight Premier Leagues, still looks the best in the country when it clicks.
The victory was Guardiola’s 16th major trophy with City, and despite ongoing speculation about his future, his engagement and intensity demonstrated he remains driven for more. While the EFL Cup lacks the glamour of the Champions League or Premier League, Guardiola savoured the success. He acknowledged City’s Premier League fate is largely out of their hands but said the win keeps hope alive, noting he would “love to be nine points in front” and that they need time and an “incredible break.”
Guardiola praised Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as “almost unbeatable” at times and reflected on the difficulty of winning titles in the modern era. The win also pushed him past Sir Alex Ferguson as the manager with the most League Cup wins, a testament to his longevity and impact.
For Arsenal, this was a sobering setback in an otherwise excellent season. Arteta’s faith in his cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga rather than first-choice David Raya backfired when Kepa misjudged Rayan Cherki’s cross, allowing O’Reilly to open the scoring on the hour — the moment the final slipped away. Guardiola’s reaction to that goal was animated, and O’Reilly celebrated exuberantly.
Guardiola mirrored Arteta’s goalkeeper selection by starting James Trafford instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma; Trafford rewarded that trust with a stunning triple save early on, denying Kai Havertz and twice stopping Bukayo Saka. After that period, though, Arsenal’s conservative approach — their “game of percentages” — proved costly. They were too passive and too slow to alter the game once City seized control.
The first half largely saw the teams cancel each other out, but the second half belonged to City. They were the more progressive and aggressive side, their attacking intent increasingly overwhelming Arsenal. City were smoother on the ball and more cohesive; pressure flowed consistently towards Arsenal’s goal. Kepa had already unsettled his side with a rash run from goal that earned him a yellow card for fouling Jeremy Doku. Much worse followed with his error for the opener.
Arteta’s six-year wait for another trophy continues, and the way his team retreated into their shell will be a concern as pressure mounts in the season’s closing weeks. Former City goalkeeper Joe Hart told BBC Sport City were simply playing to win, reflecting a culture of success built over 10–15 years. Hart added the victory further cements Guardiola’s status, noting the five League Cup wins as a sign of special managerial ability.
Arteta acknowledged the disappointment but urged his team to use it as fuel for the challenges ahead. “We had eight amazing months with this team. Today is a disappointment. We need to use that fire in the belly for the next two months to have an incredible season,” he said, calling the loss “painful” for players and supporters. He believed the first half had been more favorable for Arsenal, citing missed chances.
As Arsenal attempt to recover, Guardiola will hope City’s win and the manner of it will linger in the Gunners’ minds. For now, Manchester City celebrate another trophy and Guardiola another landmark, while Arsenal must regroup and refocus on their title race and other competitions.
