Arsenal 0-2 Man City Player Ratings: Nico O'Reilly Scores Brace as Pep Guardiola's Men Lift Carabao Cup at Wembley

Manchester City picked up a 2-0 win over Arsenal to secure the Carabao Cup of the 2025-26 season at Wembley Stadium. The EFL Cup match had two very different halves, with Arsenal dictating the play early on but City taking full control after the break. The Carabao Cup title could be seen as a consolation for Pep Guardiola's Man City, who crashed out of the Champions League a few days ago, losing to Real Madrid.

Arsenal F.C. started the game strongly and created the better chances in the first half. However, they failed to make them count, with Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka both missing clear chances that could have given them the lead before halftime.

Manchester City, also chasing Arsenal in the Premier League, came out much sharper in the second half and quickly turned the game in their favour. A young defender stepped up in a big way, scoring twice to give City a comfortable advantage and ultimately seal the trophy.

City’s tactical approach proved decisive, as they soaked up pressure early on and then punished Arsenal when it mattered most. While City celebrated a deserved win, Arsenal were left to regret their missed chances.

For a full breakdown of performances, check out the Arsenal vs Man City Player Ratings.

Man City Player Ratings vs Arsenal

Check out Man City Player Ratings from the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal F.C.:

Goalkeeper

James Trafford - 7.5: What stood out to us was his composure. He made four crucial saves inside the box, particularly in the first half when Arsenal were threatening. He kept his team in the game when they were under pressure. His distribution could have been a bit better, but his shot-stopping was top-notch when it counted. A very reliable performance in a cup final.

Defenders

Nathan Aké - 7.0: A solid and understated performance from Aké. He won four of his five duels and made a crucial last-man tackle. We noticed he was rarely beaten and his positioning was excellent throughout the game. He was calm on the ball with 89% pass accuracy. Just a dependable presence at the back.

Matheus Nunes - 8.0: Played with incredible energy and purpose. He was a constant threat down the flank, and his assist for the second goal was perfectly weighted. From our perspective, he was one of the driving forces behind City's second-half surge. He created a big chance, made key interceptions, and was a real engine for the team.

Nico O'Reilly - 9.0: Unbelievable. Simply sensational. The highest-rated player on the pitch and the undisputed man of the match. To score two goals from a defensive position in a cup final is the stuff of dreams. He was a rock at the back, winning nine duels, and then showed the instincts of a striker to be in the right place at the right time. A truly memorable performance.

Abdukodir Khusanov - 7.0: A very composed showing. He picked up a yellow card but didn't let it affect him. He was strong in the tackle and passed the ball with an impressive 91% accuracy. He made four clearances and was a steadying influence in the backline. We were impressed with his maturity.

Midfielders

Rayan Cherki - 7.0: A tricky and creative presence in midfield. He completed three dribbles and had a high pass completion rate. He always looked to make something happen, though the final product wasn't always there. Still, a positive display that kept Arsenal's defenders on their toes.

Jérémy Doku - 6.5: A frustrating performance to watch. He has so much talent and completed four dribbles, but he lost possession 14 times. You could see the danger every time he got the ball, but his decision-making let him down in key moments. He has the potential to be a world-beater but needs more consistency.

Rodri - 7.5: The usual masterclass in midfield control. He dictated the tempo with 90% pass accuracy and was always in the right position to break up play. He recovered the ball five times and was the glue that held the team together. An effortlessly dominant performance we've come to expect from him.

Bernardo Silva - 7.0: The captain led by example with his incredible work rate. He recovered the ball eight times and won 100% of his tackles. He was a pest, constantly pressing and harrying the Arsenal midfield. He might not have had the standout attacking moments, but his defensive contribution was immense.

Antoine Semenyo - 7.0: A lively and dangerous performance. He created a big chance and was a great outlet for City's attacks. His passing was crisp and he always looked to get into dangerous areas. A shame his own shot went wide, but he contributed significantly to the win.

Forwards

Erling Haaland - 6.0: A surprisingly quiet day for the big man. He missed a sitter of a header that you'd expect him to bury. He looked a bit isolated and only managed 19 touches. It's rare to see him have such little impact on a game, but his teammates got the job done for him.

Manager

Josep Guardiola - 8.5: He got his tactics spot on. His team weathered the early storm from Arsenal and then came out in the second half to completely dominate. His decision to trust his players and allow them the freedom to push forward paid off handsomely. Another trophy in the cabinet is a testament to his genius.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Manchester City

Let's have a look at Arsenal Player Ratings from the EFL Cup final against Manchester City F.C:

Goalkeeper

Kepa Arrizabalaga - 4.5: A day to forget for Kepa. The error leading to a goal was a shocking moment that you just can't have in a final. He looked nervy throughout, compounded by a needless yellow card for a foul. From our perspective, that performance cost his team dearly. He just didn't inspire any confidence.

Defenders

William Saliba - 6.5: He tried his best under immense pressure. He made six clearances and a crucial last-man tackle. However, he was part of a defence that was ultimately breached twice. He fought hard, but City's attack was just too much to handle on the day. A decent individual effort in a losing cause.

Ben White - 5.5: He had a really tough time. He was dribbled past and struggled to contain City's dynamic wingers. The yellow card he picked up was born out of frustration. He just couldn't impose himself on the game either defensively or going forward. Not his finest hour.

Piero Hincapié - 5.0: A poor performance that ended early. He looked completely off the pace, committed a foul that earned him a yellow card, and was substituted after 65 minutes. He was a liability at the back and his replacement was an admission that things weren't working. He'll want to move on from this one quickly.

Gabriel Magalhães - 6.0: He threw his body on the line, blocking three shots, but looked overwhelmed. He and Saliba were left exposed by their midfield. He lost the ball a few too many times under pressure. A battling performance, but ultimately not enough.

Midfielders

Bukayo Saka - 6.0: It just wasn't his day. He missed two big chances that could have changed the entire complexion of the final. As captain, the disappointment was etched on his face. He showed flashes of his talent but was ultimately wasteful and ineffective when it mattered.

Leandro Trossard - 6.0: He worked hard and drew three fouls, but his contribution in the final third was minimal. From our perspective, he was busy without being particularly effective. He recovered the ball six times, which shows his effort, but lacked that killer instinct.

Kai Havertz - 5.5: A ghost of a performance. He missed a huge chance early in the game and then seemed to disappear completely. With only 30 touches before being substituted, he failed to make any sort of impact. A really disappointing showing on the big stage.

Martín Zubimendi - 6.5: He did create a big chance and showed some nice touches. However, he was often bypassed by City's slick midfield. He won a good number of his aerial duels but couldn't get a foothold in the middle of the park. A decent, if unspectacular, outing.

Declan Rice - 6.5: He put in a shift, as he always does. He made four tackles and was constantly trying to break up play. But he and his midfield partners were simply overrun by the quality of Rodri and company. He lost possession too many times, which is uncharacteristic for him.

Forwards

Viktor Gyökeres - 5.5: Starved of service and completely isolated. He only had 13 touches all game, which tells the whole story. It was an impossible task for him against such a solid defence. He was a passenger in a game where his team desperately needed an outlet.

Manager

M. Arteta - 5.5: His team started brightly but their failure to take chances was their downfall. Tactically, he had no answer to City's second-half dominance. His substitutions didn't change the game, and his side looked lost once they went behind. A tough learning experience for the Arsenal boss.