Manchester City have secured the primary silverware of the season after Arsenal didn’t deliver at Wembley.
The quadruple dream is over and the Gunners must now pick up the pieces after a sobering setback.
For City, it has breathed life into their campaign after a dismal Champions League exit this week.
Kepa gamble backfires spectacularly
Mikel Arteta decided to maintain faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga after starting the Spaniard in each round of the competition leading as much as the ultimate at Wembley today.
Pep Guardiola did likewise with James Trafford, nevertheless it was Arsenal who paid the value for dropping certainly one of their best players. From the moment the second-half kicked off, Kepa dallied on the ball, inviting the pressure that will inevitably swarm everywhere in the Gunners and trigger their downfall.
Raya has been spectacular this season, the very best goalkeeper within the Premier League by some margin and in sublime form. Had he began, Sunday could have been a really different story.
Old Arsenal fears reignited
Now we have seen Arsenal collapse prior to now. Past failures have so often been used as a keep on with beat them with but things have felt different this season.
Victory today would have gone a way in erasing the lingering fears over one other derailment . But defeat at Wembley could function a catalyst for something much bleaker.
Arsenal are still fighting on three fronts, accountable for the Premier League title race and well-placed to proceed marching on in Europe. But the consequences of today could possibly be season-altering. The woeful second-half showing was as bad as anything served up by them this term on the stage where they needed to be their best.
O’Reilly steps up
City needed a hero at Wembley they usually found a home-grown one. With Phil Foden only coming on as an injury time substitute, left-back O’Reilly stepped up as City’s savour with two headers to save lots of their season.
City were unbelievable within the second period to a person and fed off Arsenal’s apprehension nevertheless it was the 21-year-old set the usual once they needed inspiration.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor