Man City lifted the 2026 Carabao Cup after a controlled 2-0 win over Arsenal at Wembley, but the story of the night went beyond the goals, according to Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh, Soccernet.ng reports.
While 21-year-old Nico O’Reilly will grab the headlines for his quick-fire brace, former Ajax and Juventus midfielder Oliseh believes the real difference came from City’s creative players.
Reacting after the game, Oliseh praised the influence of Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and Bernardo Silva, who helped City take full control in the second half.
“Big statement made by Manchester City to win the Carabao cup. Man City's creative players and ball jogglers like Doku, Cherki, Bernardo Silva made the difference,” he wrote on his X page.
The final itself started cautiously, with both sides showing discipline and structure. Arsenal pressed well early on, keeping City quiet and limiting clear chances. However, the balance of the game changed completely after the break.
Highlights from our historic League Cup win over Arsenal pic.twitter.com/ApAvQ4deKh
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 23, 2026
Man City’s blow Arsenal away in dominant second half
Manchester City stepped up the tempo in the second half, using quick dribbling and movement to break down Arsenal’s shape. Osimhen explained exactly how that shift happened.
“Arsenal’s system relies on positional discipline and high-intensity pressing, City countered in the second half with these high-frequency dribblers to create 1v1 isolations that broke Arsenal’s low block.”
That tactical switch paid off in the 60th minute. Rayan Cherki drifted into space and delivered a dangerous cross that Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to deal with, allowing Nico O’Reilly to score the opening goal.
Just four minutes later, City struck again. Cherki was involved once more, helping to start the move before Matheus Nunes set up O’Reilly for his second of the night. The quick double blow effectively ended the contest.
Throughout this period, Bernardo Silva’s leadership and pressing kept Arsenal pinned back, while Jeremy Doku’s pace on the wing stretched the defence and created space. Even when closely marked, Doku continued to drive forward and force mistakes.
Oliseh, who won the KNVB Cup twice with Ajax and lifted the UEFA Intertoto Cup with Juventus, summed up the second-half display clearly:
“Total domination by Manchester City of the second half though.”
League leaders Arsenal struggled to respond after going behind, unable to regain control or create clear chances. Despite their strong league campaign, they were second-best on the night.
Oliseh added a final thought on the Gunners' season:
“Arsenal can take solace in the near certainty that they should win the Premier League trophy, or won't they?”
In the end, this was a victory built on control, creativity, and smart tactical changes. O’Reilly finished the chances, but it was City’s creators who shaped the game and delivered yet another trophy for Pep Guardiola’s side.
