Manchester City beat Arsenal to the League Cup with a near-perfect display at Wembley on Sunday. It was Pep Guardiola’s 16th major trophy as City boss and a record-breaking fifth in this competition. Sky Sports takes a closer look at who shone and who flopped.
ARSENAL
Kepa – 5
A player with a history in these Carabao Cup finals, losing on both occasions when failing to save any of Liverpool’s 11 penalties in the 2022 final defeat and the famous incident involving Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri when he seemed to defy attempts to substitute him. And this was another unfortunate chapter to add to his Wembley misery. His costly mistake allowed Nico O’Reilly to head home the opener which set the tone for Arsenal’s second-half demise.
White – 6
Did keep Jeremy Doku relatively quiet but he was constantly being asked questions going back to his own goal by the Belgian. Took his frustration out on Rayan Cherki after some unnecessary kick-ups and was carded.
Gabriel – 6
Solid at the back in defending his box but his attacking threat, so important to this Arsenal team, was nullified as Manchester City defended set pieces with great authority.
Saliba – 7
Was kept very busy and stood up to most things that Manchester City threw at him in a typically ferocious battle with Erling Haaland. Was let down really by his team-mates, many of whom froze on the big stage.
Hincapie – 5
Looked every inch a centre-back playing out of position when having to deal with Antonie Semenyo in one-on-one situations. City didn’t expose him enough after his picked up a first-half yellow card although both of O’Reilly’s goals came from down his side. Replaced on 65 minutes.
Zubimendi – 6
Never got to grips with the game against a relentless Manchester City midfield, led by the tiresome Bernardo Silva. Only made 23 accurate passes while his opposite number Rodri made 83 which showed the level of domination City had on the football.
Rice – 6
A first domestic cup final for one of the best around but this was a desperate day for him. When Arsenal required some drive and risk from midfield there was none from Declan Rice. Usually so reliable on this sort of stage, the game passed him by.
Saka – 6
Remarkably, Bukayo Saka was playing in his first cup final for Arsenal. He almost opened the scoring after seven minutes, being denied two bites of the cherry by James Trafford. Now has just two goals and three in his last 24 appearances. A bad day at the office.
Havertz – 6
A winner of this competition with Chelsea in 2022, he never really looked at the required rhythm for a match of this nature. And who could blame him really having missed much of the season through injury. Replaced on 65 minutes.
Trossard – 6
Anonymous. Manchester City had Jeremy Doku who got them up the pitch – a job that Arsenal were hoping Leandro Trossard would do for them.
Gyokeres – 6
Viktor Gyokeres’ only previous Wembley appearance came in Coventry’s 2023 Championship play-off final defeat to Luton, losing on penalties. He’s had a springboard of a career since then but he struggled to use his presence and running power to have any sort of impact on the game to the extent he failed to have a single shot.
MAN CITY
Trafford – 8
Triple save to deny Havertz and Saka early on and then was a relative bystander – how he would have liked it. Also saved from Calafiori in the second half but was never at full stretch. He had his moment inside the first seven minutes and stood tall.
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Arsenal miss three chances as James Trafford saves the day early on
Nunes – 7
Provided width and a constant outlet while also making nine ball recoveries and winning six duels, as well as assisting O’Reilly’s second. Definition of solid.
Khusanov – 7
Demonstrated incredible recovery pace on multiple occasions. Gave Gyokeres nothing. Fast becoming one of the best 1-vs-1 defenders in the Premier League.
Ake – 7
The only outfield player to have started every game of the run to the final, and for good reason. His experience was needed to lead from the back and keep City organised in their structure.
O’Reilly – 10
The Nico O’Reilly final. From left-back, scored both goals; the first through grit and determination and the second because of a special ability to arrive in the opposition box at the right time. He gambled at the back post from Nunes’ cross and guided a super header into the far corner to kill the game dead. Both of his two touches in the Arsenal box resulted in goals. Big impact from a wonderfully gifted young Englishman.
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O’Reilly scores Manchester City’s second
Rodri – 7
Ran the game. Swept pass after pass out to the wings and was involved in the opener, recycling the ball with perfect efficiency. His role is often a selfless one, screening in front of City’s backline, which was without either first-choice centre-back. The only player on the park to touch the ball over 100 times. His 14 passes into the final third was also a game high.
Silva – 7
Led by example. Epitomised everything good about City in possession, but did his most diligent stuff off the ball. Worked like a terrier to recover the ball nine times in total, more than any other player. A proper captain’s performance.
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Watch Manchester City lift the Carabao Cup trophy at Wembley
Cherki – 8
Helped sustain attacks, putting the ball at risk by punching through the lines. Some of his touches teased threat before then delivering the cross which Kepa fumbled for City’s opener. He taunted Arsenal, which got them rattled. Some of his showboating might annoy Guardiola but it energises the fans – they love him.
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Pep Guardiola was unimpressed as Rayan Cherki showboated and Ben White fouled him after Manchester City went 2-0 up
Doku – 8
Bated Kepa into a yellow card by latching onto a long ball and from that moment the Arsenal goalkeeper looked shaky. Ten minutes later Kepa let the ball slip inexplicably through his fingertips. Perhaps Doku got in his head. The Belgian also won a staggering 12 duels, a vital part of Pep’s combative plan.
Semenyo – 7
Was knocked out of this cup with former club Bournemouth before Manchester City even joined the competition but showed his value. Had the beating of Hincapie all game, delivering a few tempting crosses for Haaland. He carried the ball and won City territory better than any other.
Haaland – 6
The No 9’s wait for a Wembley goal goes on, now seven games without a breakthrough. No shots on target either, albeit did plenty to keep Gabriel and Saliba busy. Generated City’s second-highest xG value behind O’Reilly.
