Pep Guardiola drops biggest hint on Man City future yet with Carabao Cup final action

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Pep Guardiola raced down the touchline in wild celebration. Nico O’Reilly, Manchester City’s homegrown match-winning hero, had just scored his second to renew Guardiola’s great love affair with the Carabao Cup.

O’Reilly was 21 the day before the final, is such a proud Mancunian that he has a tattoo of “0161”, his home town’s dialling code, and this was reward for being one of City’s standout players this season.

But this was also a huge moment for City and Guardiola and the manager’s celebration told you everything about his hunger and desire to win. Will he leave at the end of the season? Not with this passion.

Incredibly, Guardiola has now won it five times - more than double Arsenal who have only won it on two occasions in their history - and it will only turn up the heat for the rest of the season.

Whoever wrote off City spoke too soon. It has happened far too often. Generally it has happened to Arsenal as City have hunted them down and overtaken them in the title race in two of the past three seasons.

Suddenly, Arsenal’s nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League will not seem quite so insurmountable. City have a game in hand and they know they have got the beating of Arsenal.

Furthermore, Guardiola was back to see off his apprentice once more, overcoming Mikel Arteta, his former No.2, yet again. Arteta has won just four of their 17 meetings, with Guardiola winning 10 of them.

It was also another harsh lesson for Arsenal about playing the No.2 keeper. It was all very admirable sticking with Kepa Arrizabalaga who has played through the rounds but first choice keeper David Raya has been one of their best players this season.

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Kepa made a howler on O’Reilly’s first goal, could have easily been sent off and is simply not in Raya’s league. We are talking about Kepa who has history in the final of this competition.

During his time at Chelsea, Kepa refused to come off in 2019 with the game heading to penalties and City won the shoot-out. That should have been enough warning. But let’s be clear: it was not just about Kepa’s mistakes. Arsenal barely showed up. They were hugely disappointing and were outplayed by City.

Suddenly Arsenal’s quadruple dreams are all over. Of course they can still win three. But this will leave City believing they can turn their season around.

Arsenal were too negative. By the final whistle, the Arsenal end was virtually empty. City’s fans celebrated and serenaded O’Reilly. What a great story.

O’Reilly has played more games in midfield recently but was an unstoppable force from left back this time, ghosting in at the back post for two headers. He will enjoy this glory and he has the World Cup to look forward to.

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Arsenal did at least start well. They had three big chances when Martin Zubimendi slipped in Kai Havertz but he was thwarted by City keeper James Trafford who then twice blocked from Bukayo Saka.

It was a terrible first half. Incredibly, this was the first time the top two of the top flight have contested this final. But it was a seriously bad advert for the Premier League.

After half time, City were so much better. Kepa had a scare when he misjudged a long ball, hauled back Jeremy Doku and was booked. It was an escape and seemed to hand City the initiative.

The first goal came on the hour. Rayan Cherki’s cross was spilled by Kepa who could not quite reach it comfortably. O’Reilly sneaked in and headed home.

Four minutes later, it was 2-0. Matheus Nunes’ cross caught out Arsenal again, Saka switched off and O’Reilly sneaked in to head in again.

Arsenal tried to rally. Substitute Riccardo Calafiori headed straight at Trafford and fired wide. Gabriel Jesus hit the bar. But it was too little, too late. The day belonged to City. And the season might yet as well.

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