Manchester city were able to recover from last week FA cup exit to win the Carabao cup at Wembley with a dominant performance against Arsenal. Manchester City’s old guard Silva, Aguero and Kompany were all on target as the Manchester club trashed the London club to gift Pep Guardiola his first silverware as City boss. The Carabao cup will certainly be a beginning of Pep Guardiola’s trophy-laden era at the Manchester outfit.
Guardiola decided to deploy kevin de Bruyne in the right flank in the absence of the Raheem Sterling with a mid-field combination of Gundogan, Silva and Fernandinho as well as centre back pairing of Kompany and Otamendi. Arsene Wenger opted for 3 man defence involving under-fire Chambers, Mustafi and captain Konsienly with midfield of Ozil, Xhaka, Ramsey and Wilshere with January signing Aubamayang in the striking role. Manchester city failed to kick the bus going early on as the Manchester club will dominated in the middle of the park by Arsenal early on in the opening minutes of the game.
Manchester city will counted themselves lucky to have taken the lead in the 18th minute with Aguero. The Argentine looked to have fouled Mustafi after a Claudio Bravo pull out but the referee’s decision to ignore the free kick appeal lead to the goal as Aguero chipped incoming Ospina to gift city an early lead. The Manchester club continued to grow in confidence after the goal while Arsenal dropped in concentration and leadership as the game went on. The second half exposed the vulnerability of the Gunners more. The introduction of Bernado Silva in the 52nd minute confined Arsenal to their own half as Manchester city began to pressure their shaky and clueless backline. The Substitution paid off 6 minutes later as Vincent Kompany re-directed a Gundogan shot into the net to double the lead of Guardiola’s side. David Silva and Danilo combined in the 65th minute to make it three to clear any doubt with Arsenal’s woeful defending was called to question once more. Arsenal once again lacked a leader but on and off the pitch as Arsene Wenger was unable to inspire his boys with the Frenchman helpless.
Guardiola will be happy with his English and will be anticipating more trophies in the future as he sees the Carabao as the start of something special in his English stint. Arsene Wenger will focus attention on the Europa league as the French will be hoping to salvage something before the season runs out.