March 22, (THEWILL) — Two goals in four minutes from Nico O’Reilly gave Manchester City a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, a day after the midfielder turned 21.
Both goals arrived from defensive errors by Arsenal cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spaniard spilled a Rayan Cherki cross around the hour mark, allowing O’Reilly to nod home from beneath the crossbar. The midfielder then redirected a Matheus Nunes cross back past Kepa and into the top-right corner shortly afterwards.
Arsenal had enjoyed the stronger first half, with City failing to register a single shot on target before the break. City goalkeeper James Trafford produced a notable triple save to deny Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka in the seventh minute, and Erling Haaland came closest for the hosts in first-half stoppage time, heading over from close range.
The Gunners struck the woodwork twice while trailing, through Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Jesus, but could not force their way back into the contest. Pep Guardiola became the first manager to win the EFL Cup five times, while Mikel Arteta’s wait for a major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup was extended.
Questions over Arsenal’s composure in major matches will only grow louder after this result. Their expected goals return also fell sharply in the second half. The Gunners remain active in three competitions, but their quadruple ambitions are now definitively over.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
