England left-wing defender, Nico O’Reilly, netted a brace to help Manchester City clinch a 2-0 triumph over Arsenal in the EFL Cup 2025/26 final on Sunday 22 March, 2026 at the Wembley Stadium in London.
The result means Mikel Arteta’s plan for a quadruple has been squashed.
The two goals from O’Reilly came within four (4) minutes, in the second half, and left Arsenal shocked as Manchester City carted home a fifth League Cup glory under Spanish manager, Pep Guardiola.
Spanish goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who started ahead of number one choice, David Raya, is seen as Arteta’s miscalculation, as the former Chelsea shot stopper made way for a right wing cross from Ryan Cherki to slip through his hands, and leaving O’Reilly with an open goal at the far post.
The showdown, which was Arsenal’s first Cup final appearance since their triumph in the FA Cup in 2020, got really hopeless as O’Reilly netted the second through a header from a Matheus Nunes’ cross; the goal ignited more wild City celebrations in Northwest London.
The Gunners had two goal chances that hit the woodwork from substitutes Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Jesus, however, Guardiola’s Cityzens were vastly in charge of the clash as they emerged Champions and shattered Arsenal’s hopes for a quadruple.
The North London club had kicked off the encounter perfectly well, but, in the second 45 minutes, the Cityzens took control of the game and started mounting pressure, and in just within a short period of four (4) minutes, the winners became evident.
In the Premier League, Arsenal are comfortably sitting atop the table with Manchester City trailing by nine (9) points, however, City have a game unplayed.
What next for both clubs?
With the EFL Cup 2025/26 in the bag, Manchester City will now prepare for an FA Cup 2025/26 quarter final game against Liverpool on Saturday 4 April, 2026 at 12:45 (WAT) at Etihad Stadium; on Sunday 12th April, 2026, the Cityzens will take a trip to Stamford Bridge for a Premier League match against Chelsea at 16:30 (WAT).
And, on Sunday 19 April, 2026, Manchester City and Arsenal will do battle once again, this time, in the Premier League game at Etihad Stadium at 16:30 (WAT).
Arsenal will face Southampton in the FA Cup 2025/26 quarter final at St. Mary’s Stadium at 20:00 (WAT), and from there, will head to Lisbon in Portugal for the Uefa Champions League 2025/26 quarter final first leg match against Sporting CP on Tuesday 7 April, 2026 at 20:00 (WAT).
Photo: Nico O’Reilly lifts the EFL Cup trophy in celebration of Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal in the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 22 March, 2026 | X/Manchester City
HC: Will this loss have a negative impact on Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes?
