LONDON, March 22 - Manchester City reasserted dominance in English football with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium. Nico O'Reilly, 21, delivered a decisive second-half double, capitalizing on a Kepa Arrizabalaga error to head home the opener. Four minutes later, he converted a precise Matheus Nunes cross for the clincher.
Arsenal, favorites and Premier League leaders, offered little threat after halftime. Despite late pressure from Gabriel, who hit the bar, their attack lacked rhythm and invention. Ben White was booked for a reckless challenge on Rayan Cherki.
The win marks City’s ninth League Cup title - and fifth under Pep Guardiola, making him the competition’s most successful manager, surpassing Ferguson, Mourinho, and Clough. The triumph comes after City’s Champions League exit, silencing doubts about their resolve.
With no trophy last season and nine points behind Arsenal in the league, City proved their pedigree remains unmatched in cup football.