Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City crowned 2026 Carabao Cup Champions with a Nico O’Reilly brace vs Arsenal

By relying on high pressure and numerical superiority in attack, Manchester City managed to remain the more dominant side against Arsenal. Not only did they disrupt the flow of Mikel Arteta’s midfield, but they also stifled Arsenal’s attacking opportunities. As a result, the Citizens were crowned champions of the 2026 Carabao Cup, thanks to Nico O’Reilly and his crucial brace.

With the introduction of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal have significantly stepped up the intensity of their attack, now establishing themselves as the more dominant team. However, Manchester City have relinquished possession, focusing instead on defending their lead in the final minutes, during which Nathan Ake has stood out.

Throughout the game, Arsenal have shown very little dominance in midfield. Despite Kai Havertz’s return, they failed to control their team’s attacks, with only the wingers making a difference. As a result, Martin Odegaard’s absence remains glaring, as he was the only one capable of making a difference, while the German continues to disappoint year after year.

After failing to turn the game around, Mikel Arteta makes two substitutions for Arsenal in an attempt to revitalize the attack. Ben White and Leandro Trossard are taken off, making way for Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, in a bid to gain the upper hand against Pep Guardiola’s defense.

Since Noni Madueke came on, Arsenal have gained much more depth in attack, as they can now exploit the space behind Manchester City’s defenders. However, the Gunners haven’t quite managed to dominate the midfield, stifling any scoring opportunities. As a result, only aerial balls to Viktor Gyökeres might save them.

Just a few minutes after the first goal, Jeremy Doku once again led an impressive counterattack. After dribbling past Arsenal’s defenders, Matheus Nunes received the ball on the right wing. He then played a one-two with Rodri, finding himself alone on the wing, and crossed the ball into the box. There, Nico O’Reilly met the ball with a header and scored the second goal.

Looking for a comeback vs. Manchester City, Arsenal head coaach Mikel Arteta decided to sub off Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie, getting Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori.

Taking advantage of the intense high press, Bernardo Silva received the ball and dribbled past Arsenal’s defenders, firing a powerful shot at Arsenal’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, who made the save. However, the goalkeeper gave up a rebound that Nico O’Reilly capitalized on to score the first goal of the game.

Unlike the first half, Manchester City have remained totally dominating Arsenal. Not only their high pressing retains Arsenal, but also their numerical superiority in the Gunners area gives them an edge. They are able to quickly recover the ball, and restart an offense, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side in their area.

In an unusual move, Arsenal’s Kepa Arrizabalaga receives a yellow card. Chasing to stop Jeremy Doku’s offense, the goalkeeper retained and fouled the Citizen’s star outside his area.  

Far from shifting their approach, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have remain very offensive, betting for a high-pressing. Nonetheless, Semenyo has decided to play near Erling Haaland, leaving Cherki on the right wing. With this, they chase to gain numerical superiority against the Gunners defense and netting the first goal.

Arsenal and Manchester City's 2026 Carabao Cup Final is underway in the second half!

Arsenal (0) vs Manchester City (0)

While betting for an offensive approach, neither Arsenal nor Manchester City have reached to score in the 2026 Carabao Cup Final

 Halftime!

Throughout the match, Manchester City have sought to break down the defense by relying on the speed of Doku and Semenyo and applying high pressure, but Saliba and Gabriel have shut down every opportunity, backed by Martin Zubimendi. Similarly, the Gunners are relying on counterattacks and numerical superiority to beat the Citizens. However, Nathan Aké and Khusanov shine, coming to Pep Guardiola’s rescue.

After a speedy dribble by Bukayo Saka, Arsenal earned a crucial corner kick. Capitalizing on their strength in the air, the English side took the kick, which Piero Hincapieno managed to head well, but missed a great opportunity.

After a rude foul on Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres, Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov receives a yellow card. With that, they gave a free kick to Mikel Arteta's team. While the Citizens cut the ball, Gabriel Magalhaes gain a ball to Gyökeres, that Nathan Ake quickly stops, saving Pep Guardiola's side. 

Throughout the match, Arsenal have relied on their defensive line as its greatest strength. Despite this, the speed and versatility of Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku on the wings have opened up gaps in the Gunners’ defense, breaking down their solidity. However, the numerical advantage in the box prevented City from scoring their first goal.

Manchester City are looking to keep Arsenal pinned in their own half by limiting their attacking moves. Pep Guardiola has instructed his entire defensive line to press the Gunners and cut off their attacks. Only Rodri remains in a defensive position, just ahead of the back line.

With an impressive save from Abdukodir Khusanov, Manchester City retain Arsenal’s counterattack lead by Leandro Trossard. While Declan Rice tried to keep it ongoing, he failed to control and dominate the ball, giving back the ball to the Citizens.

Following a harsh foul on Matheus Nunes of Manchester City, Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie receives yellow card.

Unlike the other games, Arsenal have opted for a fairly mixed style of play. Not only do they manage to dominate parts of the match, but they also shine under pressure from Manchester City. By exploiting the space behind their opponents, the Gunners use speed and numerical superiority to make a difference. Mikel Arteta keeps his team closer to the goal than Pep Guardiola does—it’s impressive.

Although City’s high press is limiting Arsenal, the Gunners have managed to remain quite dominant on offense. By exploiting the large spaces behind the defense, they’re capitalizing on counterattacks and causing Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Aké quite a bit of trouble.

Following a team play initiated by Martin Zubimendi, Kai Havertz received the ball, but James Trafford made the save. After the rebound fell to Bukayo Saka, the Englishman tried to score twice, but City’s goalkeeper made a miraculous save. 

By relying on intense high-pressure defense, Pep Guardiola has managed to keep Manchester City firmly in control against Arsenal. Not only do they quickly regain possession after losing the ball, but they also force the Gunners to stay in their own half, limiting all of their attacking moves.

Arsenal vs. Manchester City the 2026 Carabao Cup Final is already underway at Wembley Stadium!

While Manchester City have been one of the most dominant teams in England, Pep Guardiola has struggled to defeat Arsenal. The Citizens' most recent victory against the Gunners was on April 25, 2023. Since then, they have recorded four draws and two defeats. In light of this, coach Pep Guardiola is not only chasing the first title of the season but also aiming to end the negative streak against their biggest current rival in the Premier League.

Neither Etihad Stadium nor Emirates Stadium, Arsenal and Manchester City are set to face each other in the 2026 Carabao Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Since his inauguration in 1923, this venue has hold all finals in English competitions such as FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, as well as Playoff finals between teams in the Championship, League One and League Two.

With 90.000 seats, Wembley Stadium is the largest soccer stadium in England, making it a privileged and historic venue for all the teams. Unlike the other venues, this one does not belong to any Premier League team, but is the official home of England national team.

Arsenal vs. Manchester City game is set to start at 12:30pm ET / 9:30am PT

You can watch the 2026 Carabao Cup Final clash live on Paramount +

With just Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal face Manchester City, looking to secure their first title. Not only coach Mikel Arteta has decided to bet for Kepa Arrizabalaga, but also has bet for Kai Havertz with Viktor Gyökeres, chasing scoring prowess. Moreover, Ben White has also make a comeback as right-back, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Piero Hincapie as left-back. With this, the Gunners chase an organizative approach, chasing to stop the Citizens impressive offense.

Holding Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol absences, Pep Guardiola has been forced to make some changes in Manchester City's lineup, reintroducing Nathan Aké after several weeks. Moreover, the Citizens decided to bet for James Trafford as goalkeeper. Finally, Erling Haaland will lead the scoring side, with Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku.

After dealing with several issues in the latest game against Real Madrid, Ruben Dias was forced to leave the pitch in the halftime. In light of this, the Portuguese has been diagnosed with hamstring injury, ruling him out for today’s 2026 Carabao Cup Final, as per Sam Lee of The Athletic.

In his place, Abdukodir Khusanov could be a starter next to Nathan Ake, looking to solidify the defense line. In case they need to change the game, John Stones could contribute from bench, as the Gunners remain as one of the best English teams.

Welcome to our live blog of the match between Arsenal and Manchester City in the 2026 Carabao Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Stay with us for all the key information about this clash, and once the game kicks off, for minute-by-minute updates.