Rayan Cherki leaves Pep Guardiola infuriated in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup win over Arsenal

Last Updated on 22 March 2026

The first trophy of the season, the Carabao Cup, was up for grabs for Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley. After a tight first half, the game was decided by a Nico O’Reilly four minute brace at the hour mark.

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are made to wait for their first trophy since the 2019/20 season after a performance that left fans frustrated.

However, it was Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola who was left frustrated with one of his players.

Pep Guardiola shakes his head in disappointment due to Rayan Cherki’s disrespect

While Manchester City produced a stellar second-half display, it was Rayan Cherki who became the only subbed-off player by Pep Guardiola in the League Cup final.

The Frenchman decided to bring out some showboating, as he performed keep-ups with City leading. Clearly, it was not something that sat right with Guardiola as he was visibly frustrated, shaking his head in disapproval.

Cherki received the ball on the flanks and proceeded to complete five keep-ups before Arsenal players closed him down. But those few seconds of showboating did not sit well with the Arsenal fans or with Guardiola.

In fact, it was quite telling when Pep made Cherki his only substitute in a game decided around the hour mark. The win also marked Guardiola’s 19th trophy with the Manchester club.

Manchester City deny Arsenal a shot at an unprecedented ‘quadruple’ with League Cup

As Mikel Arteta’s six-year wait for a trophy at Arsenal goes on, Pep kept his League Cup final record intact for another year. He has never lost a League Cup final at Wembley, winning all five, an English record.

With that 2-0 win, City also ended Arsenal’s hopes of winning an unprecedented quadruple. The Gunners, prior to their loss at Wembley, were alive and favorites in every competition.

Despite the defeat, Arsenal players and fans will know they still have a great shot a special season. They lead the Premier League with nine points and have a kind set of fixtures in the Champions League. And, also the FA Cup where Arsenal play Southampton in the last eight.