League Cup final: Arsenal 0-3 Manchester City! Haaland bags a brace as Gunners defence crumbles

It was another night where the blue moon dominated Wembley. The League Cup final that wrapped up in the early hours saw Manchester City deliver a clinical 3-0 victory, shattering Arsenal’s hopes of silverware this season. Plenty of Gooners were hoping Mikel Arteta could end the club’s trophy drought with this one, but from the first whistle, it was clear Pep Guardiola’s side had the game in a chokehold. The sheer intensity was palpable, even for us fans watching from our screens.

Haaland, the unstoppable force, leaves Arsenal’s defence in shambles

If anything, this game felt less like a final and more like a showcase of a world-class striker at his peak. Haaland’s two goals told the story. One saw him shrug off a defender before smashing it in, the other was pure predatory instinct as he carved out space between Gabriel and Saliba to slot home. Arsenal’s defence has been one of the Premier League’s best this season, but against a monster like him, they looked completely rattled. There was a moment in the first half during a corner where he was single-handedly causing chaos, and it reminded me of a scene from more than a decade ago – when Wayne Rooney, at his peak for Manchester United, used to bulldoze entire backlines. Haaland’s dominance right now feels like an evolved version of that; he’s bigger, taller, and plays with a sheer brutality.

City’s win wasn’t just down to Haaland, though. Their entire spine operated with effortless fluidity. Kevin De Bruyne might not have scored, but his through balls were like surgical strikes. Arsenal, on the other hand, had a brief flurry in the first ten minutes with Bukayo Saka making some probing runs on the right, but for the rest of the game, they were pinned back. Saka worked hard, but he was starved of possession, often facing two or three defenders whenever he got the ball. It brought to mind those young wingers at Everton Football Club in the past – clearly talented, but left isolated.

A costly goalkeeping error proves to be the turning point, leaving Gooners heartbroken

If there was a defining moment, it was that second-half lapse. David Raya spilled a save from a shot that wasn’t even that tricky, allowing City to pounce and double their lead. In that instant, Wembley fell silent, drowned out only by the cheers from the blue half of the stadium. Mistakes like that at such a critical moment are absolute killers. It’s like playing Cyberpunk 2077; you’ve cleared the entire map, only to accidentally shoot yourself with your last round. That feeling of helplessness just makes you want to switch off.

Watching this game left me with a mix of emotions. This Arsenal side has definitely improved from seasons past, but there’s still a sense that they’re missing that final piece to truly be considered an elite team. It reminds me of Blackburn Rovers Football Club back in their heyday in English football – they had their moments of glory, but eventually faded for various reasons. Football is brutal like that. You don’t win trophies on potential alone; you have to turn that promise into goals within the 90 minutes.

City’s win wasn’t without its own potential pitfalls. Despite controlling the game, their defence did look vulnerable during the few counter-attacks Arsenal managed to mount. If it weren’t for City’s goalkeeper, James Trafford (I’ve had my eye on this lad since his Burnley academy days, and he’s really come into his own after his loan spells, including one at Everton), the scoreline might have been closer. He pulled off a crucial save from an Arsenal corner in the second half, clawing the ball off the line with a reflex save that was simply world-class.

• Haaland’s dominance: Two goals that dismantled Arsenal’s expensive defence. The Golden Boot is all but his.
• Arteta’s challenge: Tactically outmanoeuvred by Guardiola, with substitutions that came a bit too late. Still work to be done to win trophies.
• Wembley woes: The Gunners just can’t seem to catch a break in finals at this stadium. Another disappointing outing.

A small consolation for the Gunners faithful: look to the women’s team

While the men’s team fell short at Wembley, there is some good news this weekend. Arsenal’s women’s side continue to impress in the UEFA Women's Champions League, playing some really attractive team football. If you look at the club’s history, it feels like the Arsenal DNA of playing attractive, attacking football is thriving more with the women’s team these days. If you’re feeling down after tonight, maybe tune in for a replay of one of their matches. It might just help lift your spirits a little.

So, the League Cup heads to Manchester, and with that, the Premier League title race just got a whole lot more interesting. Whether Arsenal can bounce back from this defeat will depend on how Arteta rallies the squad from here. After all, the season is far from over, and in football, anything can happen, right?