Nico O'Reilly etched his name into Manchester City folklore with a stunning double in the space of four minutes to inspire his side to a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final. Born in Manchester and raised in City's academy, O'Reilly pounced on a sloppy piece of goalkeeping from Kepa Arrizabalaga to give Pep Guardiola's side the edge in a cagey encounter at Wembley on the hour-mark.
Arsenal's six-year wait for a trophy will go on for at least a few months more after they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. The Gunners had been tipped to win an unprecedented quadruple, but they fell short in their first attempt to claim some silverware this season, with Mikel Arteta being defeated by mentor Pep Guardiola.
Despite becoming the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman remains his own harshest critic. The 16-year-old sensation continues to contact his former mentor, Jack Wilshere, to complain about his displays and seek guidance as he navigates the immense pressures of senior football and chases historic milestones under Mikel Arteta.
Manchester City's preparations for the Carabao Cup final have been rocked by a major injury blow to defensive linchpin Ruben Dias. The Portugal international is set to miss the Wembley showdown against Arsenal, leaving Pep Guardiola with a significant selection headache in the heart of his backline hours before the match.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes admits that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been his “toughest opponent” down the years, with the pair establishing a bitter rivalry. While they have clashed on a regular basis in Premier League action, there is plenty of respect between the duo. They are poised to lock horns again in the 2026 Carabao Cup final.
Manchester City will be without key January signing Marc Guehi for their Carabao Cup final showdown against Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday. Despite other winter arrivals being eligible, the England international has been sidelined by a new rule. Pep Guardiola has been left exasperated after the former Crystal Palace defender was officially ruled out.
Bukayo Saka has lifted the lid on life inside Arsenal's dressing room as the Gunners continue to chase a historic quadruple, and the message from the club's starboy sounds remarkably similar to the message Erling Haaland gave Mikel Arteta last season. The England international insists his side are "staying humble", as they prepare to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola has officially confirmed his starting goalkeeper for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley. While Gianluigi Donnarumma has been the preferred choice in the Premier League, a surprise name will take the gloves for the season's first piece of silverware.
"It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football," said Erling Haaland when he announced his investment in the Total Chess World Championship this week. "You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything." The Manchester City striker’s strategy cannot be faulted except at one stadium in particular: Wembley.
Arsenal will look to end their six-year trophy drought on Sunday when they take on rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. Going back even further, the Gunners haven't won silverware in front of live fans since their 2017 FA Cup triumph, a time when Arsene Wenger was still manager and Mikel Arteta had just completed his first season as Pep Guardiola's assistant.
The Gunners have been sweating over the fitness of Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber ahead of the Carabao Cup final. Odegaard hasn't featured since the draw with Brentford last month, while Timber was forced off during the 2-0 victory against Everton last Saturday. Their absence is felt, but Mikel Arteta remains hopeful.
Jamie Carragher claims we are in a "strange new world" where neutrals favour Man City over Arsenal for the Premier League title, as well as this weekend’s Carabao Cup final. He argues that Mikel Arteta’s pragmatic "win-at-all-costs" style, plus a polarising fanbase, has flipped the "anyone but City" sentiment into a resounding "anyone but Arsenal."
The last time Manchester City and Arsenal faced each other in the League Cup final, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta sat side by side in the Wembley dugout as head coach and assistant before celebrating as their City team destroyed the Gunners 3-0 and claimed the first of piece of silverware of the former's time in England. The rampant win only crystalized the widening gap between the two clubs.
Football fans are bracing for a seismic showdown this Sunday at Wembley as Arsenal face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. Alan Shearer has heightened the stakes by suggesting a Gunners victory could pave the way for a historic quadruple. With both teams under immense pressure, this final could define the entire season of each club.
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie has played down the psychological impact of the upcoming Carabao Cup final on the Premier League title race. Despite the Gunners' nine-point lead at the summit, the Ecuadorian insists the squad is focused solely on lifting the trophy at Wembley.
Jeremy Doku has called on his Manchester City team-mates to use Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Arsenal as a "good cure" for their recent European disappointment. After a bruising Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid, the Belgian winger insists that securing silverware at Wembley is the priority. With a domestic treble still a mathematical possibility, Doku believes the squad must move on quickly to rescue their season.
Pep Guardiola is ready to make a definitive call on his Manchester City future following a devastating Champions League exit. The Catalan coach has reportedly earmarked a specific window to mull over his next steps as a monumental era at the Etihad Stadium approaches its twilight.
Declan Rice has challenged his Arsenal team-mates to seize the first available piece of silverware this season as they prepare for a high-stakes Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. Fresh from securing a Champions League quarter-final berth, the England midfielder believes a victory at Wembley could provide the essential momentum for a historic quadruple pursuit. Rice emphasised that the showdown will ultimately be decided by which side possesses the greater hunger for glory.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has moved to calm fears regarding the fitness of Erling Haaland following the striker's early withdrawal against Real Madrid. The Norwegian was taken off with over half an hour remaining as City suffered a disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of the Spanish giants.
Arsenal remain in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple, with former ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL why the Gunners would not “swap” three of those trophies for a guaranteed Premier League title triumph. The Frenchman is of the opinion that domestic dominance can be restored at Emirates Stadium while collecting multiple pieces of major silverware.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has hit back at his online trolls after his woeful attempt to control the ball on the touchline against Arsenal went viral. The 41-year-old, who has led the Blues to seven wins in his first nine games, admitted that the "LinkedIn Liam" jibes are starting to affect his family. However, the former Strasbourg manager remains defiant as he prepares his side for a crucial clash against Leeds.
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has been brutally mocked by his own players after taking a bad touch during the Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal in midweek. The Blues boss tried to control the ball after it sailed out of play at the Emirates Stadium, but his failed attempt sent it ballooning in the opposite direction away from the pitch. Rosenior has now revealed his players have not let him live the moment down.
Chelsea legend John Terry has taken aim at Arsenal's players after their midweek win against Chelsea secured a place in the Carabao Cup final. Kai Havertz scored late on at the Emirates to complete a 4-2 aggregate victory over the Blues and send the Gunners to Wembley. Mikel Arteta's side will now take on Manchester City in the final as they aim to win their first major silverware since 2020.
Mikel Arteta has apologised to Liam Rosenior after the Chelsea boss complained that Arsenal's coaches were entering his side's half during their pre-match warm-ups. The two sides faced each other in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates and the Blues boss was left fuming with the Gunners' behaviour.
Liam Rosenior has accused Arsenal of lacking respect after his X-rated outburst ahead of Chelsea's EFL Cup semi-final defeat to the Gunners. The new Blues boss was filmed screaming expletives at the Gunners' players as they encroached into the Blues' half during their respective warm-ups.
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