The decisive moment arrived in the second half when Rayan Cherki delivered a dangerous cross that Kepa failed to handle cleanly, allowing the ball to slip through his grasp and present an open opportunity.
Manchester City’s young midfielder Nico O’Reilly pounced on the mistake, slotting home to give his side the lead around the hour mark.
Just four minutes later, O’Reilly struck again, doubling the advantage with a clinical finish that effectively ended Arsenal’s hopes and sealed the triumph for Pep Guardiola’s team.
This result handed Manchester City their ninth League Cup title overall, extending their strong record in the competition.
For manager Pep Guardiola, it marked a historic milestone as he became the first coach to claim the trophy five times, having previously guided the club to victories in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021—plus this latest success in 2026.
Guardiola has now led his side to five League Cup finals, emerging victorious in every one, showcasing his remarkable dominance in the competition.
In contrast, the defeat represented another painful chapter for Arsenal in the League Cup.
The Gunners have now finished as runners-up seven times in the tournament’s history, more than any other club.
Their previous final losses came in 1968, 1969, 1988, 2007, 2011, 2018, and now 2026, leaving them still searching for silverware in this competition since their last win decades ago.
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