Though Arsenal remain nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, Manchester City’s 2–0 win over them in the EFL Cup final may yet plant seeds of doubt over whether Mikel Arteta’s side can get over the line in the title race.
Nico O’Reilly was the star of the show, scoring twice in the second half to secure City’s first silverware of the season.
From an Arsenal point of view, Mikel Arteta‘s decision to go with Kepa Arrizabalaga instead of the reliable David Raya horribly backfired, as he tipped an O’Reilly cross-shot into his own net.
That was not the only issue. Kepa also looked uncomfortable when trying to play out from the back, with City’s relentless press disrupting Arsenal’s build-up throughout.
That is not to say Arsenal would necessarily have fared better with Raya in goal, but selecting a goalkeeper who is not a regular starter for a major final always feels like a significant gamble.
Not Brave Enough
City’s dominance in the second half underlined the fact that they deserved to win the match. Yet, despite their aggressive pressing, there were still moments when Arsenal played through them, particularly in the first half.
Arsenal created some promising openings before the break, most notably when James Trafford produced a remarkable triple save to deny Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
In possession, however, Arsenal were too often lacking conviction. Their passing was tidy without being decisive, and that has become a recurring frustration for supporters under Arteta: the sense that his approach can be overly cautious.
There are parallels with England under Gareth Southgate, where pragmatism at times outweighed adventure, and in-game changes did not always come quickly enough.
As Arsenal came under pressure, Arteta was slow to help his side shift from defence into attack, and the same pattern emerged again in this final.
It is fair to point out that Arsenal were missing the creativity of players such as Eberechi Eze or Martin Ødegaard, but it still raises the question: what about giving young Max Dowman an opportunity?
Pep Guardiola put his faith in O’Reilly, and he delivered. Arteta, by contrast, did not appear willing to take the same risk from the bench.
His substitutions only came once Arsenal were already 2–0 down. By that stage, City had taken control of the second half, so the obvious question is why he did not act sooner.
This was ultimately where Guardiola’s tactical sharpness proved decisive. His flexibility from the touchline was far superior on the day, and that was the difference in the final.
Implications for the title race
Despite defeat in the League Cup final, Arsenal are still in control of the title race. Even so, they know better than most how ruthless Guardiola’s City can be when they sense an opening.
Arsenal are next in action at home to AFC Bournemouth on 11 April, while City travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on 12 April, before the two sides meet in a potentially season-defining clash at the Etihad Stadium on 19 April.
It may well be that Arsenal’s trip to Manchester becomes the moment that shapes their destiny in the Premier League title race.
For more on the competition, visit the official EFL website, while the latest standings can be found on the official Premier League table.
What do you think?
Have Mikel Arteta’s tactics in the EFL Cup final shifted the momentum of the title race in City’s favour?