Optimistic Arsenal fans were dreaming of the first leg of a quadruple when the Gunners faced Manchester City in the 2026 EFL Cup final on Sunday, 22nd March. Optimistic Arsenal fans are now dreaming of a treble, the treble, in fact, of the three most important competitions. Fans of a more realistic persuasion, however, would no doubt be happy with either the Premier League or the Champions League. The FA Cup would certainly be a nice addition to either of those, but if Arsenal can win at least one of the big two pieces of silverware remaining this season, then 2025/26 would still go down as an excellent season.
However, if Mikel Arteta’s men are to win anything this term, let alone a treble or double, they simply have to bounce back from what was a chastening defeat at Wembley. We do not want to sound pessimistic. Ultimately, the club have a commanding lead at the top of the Premier League, and kind draws in both the UCL and the FA Cup. But if they can use that loss to Man City in the League Cup final positively, as fuel and motivation, their chances of a strong finish to the season will be much greater than if they dwell on it.
Outplayed in Second Half
Full-time at Wembley Stadium. pic.twitter.com/ke7qI4xG3e
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 22, 2026
Arteta’s troops lost the EFL Cup final 2-0 to a side that was simply much better on the day. Both managers named strong starting XIs, though the Gunners were without the injured Eberechi Eze and made a key change in goal, opting to play Kepa Arrizabalaga. Man City also opted to start their first-choice stopper on the bench, with James Trafford getting the nod ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma as both bosses kept faith with the EFL goalies.
For all that City were the better side, in many ways, this was a tale of two keepers. Trafford made several significant interventions, including an excellent triple save in the first half. The first period was largely uneventful apart from that, with neither side at their best from an attacking perspective.
The key moment came after 60 minutes when Kepa made a terrible error. A cross from the right-hand side went straight through his gloves, allowing Man City’s Nico O’Reilly the simplest of chances behind him. The rising star nodded home to give his side a lead that their start to the second half merited. But the cross should have been dealt with by the Arsenal stopper, and who knows what might have happened if the Gunners had held on for a little longer?
As it was, the goal spurred City on, and O’Reilly got a second goal just a few minutes later. It was another header from another cross from the right, but this time Kepa was not at fault. O’Reilly produced a fine header to put his team firmly in the box seat, and from there the Gunners were always going to have a mountain to climb.
Man City were better all over the pitch in that second half and even had the temerity to indulge in a little showboating, although Ben White soon clattered the offender, Rayan Cherki, picking up a booking for his troubles. The Gunners did show some fight in the final 15 minutes of the clash and managed to hit the woodwork twice.
It was too little, too late, however, and City stopped the rot in terms of their trophy “drought”, having gone without silverware in 2025/26. As for Arsenal, their wait for a trophy goes back rather further, to the 2020 FA Cup. This final feels like a missed chance to get that monkey off their back. They now have the international break to regroup and recompose themselves. The next two months will define their season and may well define Arteta’s time at the club.
What’s to Come?
As said, Arsenal have been fortunate with the draw for the FA Cup and the bracket in the Champions League. They face Championship side Southampton in the former, and that will be their first match after the international window. The Saints are in fine form and will be at home, so it is crucial that Arteta has his players fully focused and motivated for that one.
In our opinion, he must field a strong side on the south coast, with a defeat in that clash, against a team on a 14-match unbeaten run, potentially very damaging. Lose that, and the pressure will really mount, with pundits sure to be throwing around the “bottlers” tag.
Three days later, the Gunners travel to Lisbon to play Sporting, which does pose a selection dilemma for Arteta as far as the FA Cup is concerned. The club then play Bournemouth at home before the second leg of the Champions League last 16.
If the Gunners get the job done over those four games, they will be set up nicely for the huge test that follows. Advance in both cups and take three points in the league, and the players will be looking forward to their trip to face Manchester City at the Etihad on the 19th of April. However, if they falter, Pep’s men will smell blood, and a season that promised so much for Arsenal could turn into a nightmare.