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John Terry insists the Premier League title race is anything but a forgone conclusion after Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City.
Two second half goals from Nico O’Reilly helped secure another piece of silverware for Pep Guardiola and more importantly, arguably, provided a welcome boost to a side that had exited Europe in midweek having lost ground on the Gunners in the race to be crowned domestic champions.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently hold a nine-point lead at the top of the table but should a rejuvenated City win their game in-hand as well as next month’s clash between the top two at the Etihad the gap will be down to just three.
Terry was hugely impressed by the dominance City were able to exert at Wembley and suggested Guardiola’s men were ‘untouchable’ when in the sort of mood that had their opponents chasing shadows for long spells.
‘Where has this Man City team and performance been all season.
‘What a second half, absolutely dominated Arsenal. They’ve been the best team in the Premier League all season but when Man City are like this they’re untouchable. So much talent going forward.
‘Arsenal were boxed in and couldnt’ get out. What a performance, also how much of an impact will this have on the Premier League title race?
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Arsenal 0-2 Man City - Metro at the Match
Manchester City have secured the first silverware of the season after Arsenal failed to 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 keep faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga after starting the Spaniard in each round of the competition leading up to the final at Wembley today.
Pep Guardiola did likewise with James Trafford, but it was Arsenal who paid the price for dropping one of their best players. From the moment the second-half kicked off, Kepa dallied on the ball, inviting the pressure that would inevitably swarm all over the Gunners and trigger their downfall.
Raya has been spectacular this season, the best goalkeeper in the Premier League by some margin and in sublime form. Had he started, Sunday may have been a very different story.
Old Arsenal fears reignited
We have seen Arsenal collapse in the past. Past failures have so often been used as a stick to beat them with but things have felt different this season.
Victory today would have gone some way in erasing the lingering fears over another derailment . But defeat at Wembley could serve as a catalyst for something much bleaker.
Arsenal are still fighting on three fronts, in control of the Premier League title race and well-placed to continue marching on in Europe. But the effects of today could 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 and they 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 their season.
City were fantastic in the second period to a man and fed off Arsenal's apprehension but it was the 21-year-old set the standard when they needed inspiration.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor
‘Mentally for both teams here, one for Arsenal in negative way but also for Man City today knowing we can still win it.
‘It’s a big shout but it’s on, the title race is officially on.’
It will be fascinating to see how Arsenal will respond following their latest near miss on the trophy front but Arteta hopes to use another disappointment to fuel a sprint to the finish line.
He said: “It’s hard because everyone as a player really wanted it today and I know the supporters wanted it.
‘The fact that we haven’t managed to deliver it is very, very painful.
‘We’ve had a remarkable eight months together, and now there’s an international break.
‘We all go into there with a very hard feeling and pain, and we’re going to use that as fuel for the next two months.
‘We keep going. It’s painful not to give them what they are hoping for and what they are cheering for, but we’ll recover from that and go again.’
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