The expressions on the faces of the Arsenal players as they trudged up the steps at Wembley to receive their runners-up medals spoke volumes. An afternoon with much promise for Mikel Arteta’s side ended in a depressingly familiar disappointment.
They have become painfully accustomed to seeing Manchester City celebrate at their expense. But this time it was supposed to be different, and it was supposed to be a chance to carve out a unique era of winning trophies, and perhaps take the first step towards quadruple rotation.
Of course, their season could end with dizzying success. They lead the Premier League by nine points and have enjoyed favorable draws in the Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finals. “I want the players to have some perspective,” manager Mikel Arteta said.
But the manner of this defeat and the identity of the opponent make this setback even more difficult to bear. Arsenal have been the better team in the Premier League this season, but they looked inferior in all departments in the second half.
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Carabao Cup Final Arsenal vs Manchester City Highlights
Arteta may privately regret his decision to stick with cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga rather than first-choice David Raya.
Failing to convert Rayan Cherki’s cross was a clear mistake and gave Manchester City the lead. “Unfortunately it happened at a crucial moment,” Arteta admitted.
However, the pattern for the second half was already established by this point. Arsenal had the better chances in the first period, but were denied by a triple save from James Trafford, but they were unable to cope with City’s quality and intensity at the start of the second period.
At their best, this Arsenal side can suffocate opponents, keep them pinned to their own half and pile on the pressure. But this time they nailed it. They were the ones who couldn’t get on the pitch.
The first goal came from an individual mistake. According to Opta, this was the seventh time in Arsenal’s last 22 games that they had conceded just one goal in 28 games. But this time, it didn’t come out of nowhere. City’s dominance of the game was increasing.
Arsenal called off the match. Ebelesi Eze’s absence didn’t help them, but in addition to Martin Odegaard’s injury, they were now without two midfield technicians. But their inability to connect passes still looked jarring.
Despite needing a goal from the 60th minute onwards, Arsenal had just 37 per cent of possession in the second half, had just five shots on target and had an expected goals rate of just 0.17.
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Relive the story of Man City’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
They were unable to break through Manchester City’s press and continued to take long shots. Their directness worried City in the early stages of the game, but the ball kept coming back from then on. “We had to manage the ball much better than before,” Arteta said.
There’s no doubting Arsenal’s excellence off the ball, but managing the game on the ball has been a recurring problem in the second half of the season. Against an opponent of Manchester City’s quality, relying on defense is not sustainable, even if they are injured after being eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Arsenal tried to claw their way back into the game with two late hits, but Manchester City looked almost at ease after the opening goal, and their superiority on this day suggests they maintain a mental edge over the Gunners, which could have an impact in the title race.
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Jamie Redknapp and Ian Wright debate whether Kepa Arrizabalaga should have started in the Carabao Cup final after his costly mistake
Arteta later dismissed that idea, putting the defeat down to damage sustained in the second half 20 minutes. But the manner of that defeat raised questions beyond the obvious question of Arteta’s choice of goalkeeper.
Do Arsenal still have mental problems? Do they really have the offensive quality to match their outstanding defense? And do they have the mettle to overcome this setback?
Many of those questions will be answered in the remaining months of the season. Of course, they have bigger goals than the Carabao Cup. But they still need to pick themselves up off the floor, lest all their efforts go in vain.
“What this team has achieved in the last eight months is unbelievable,” said Arteta. “We’re going to use the disappointment and the fire in our bellies to have the most amazing two months we’ve ever had together. Now we have to go through that pain and disappointment.”
On the evidence of what happened at Wembley, there is work to be done to prove they are ready to deliver the silverware needed to progress.
