He first said he want ti leave the club but after winning EFL Cup , he change his mind that he want to stay and sacrifice everything for the club

The atmosphere at Wembley was electric, the kind of tension that only a major final can bring. Fans of Arsenal and Manchester City filled the stadium with hope, belief, and nerves. For Arsenal supporters, this was a chance to see their team lift silverware again under Mikel Arteta. For Manchester City, led by the ever-demanding Pep Guardiola, it was another opportunity to show dominance on the big stage.

But as the final whistle blew, it was disappointment for Arsenal. A game that started with promise slowly turned into frustration, and in the end, costly mistakes made all the difference.

The match began in a cautious way. Both teams respected each other, and neither wanted to make the first big mistake. Arsenal tried to control possession, while Manchester City looked sharp and dangerous whenever they moved forward. The first half did not have many clear chances, but there were moments that showed what could have been.

One of the biggest early chances fell to Kai Havertz. It was a beautiful moment of football. A clever and perfectly timed pass from Martin Zubimendi split the City defense wide open. For a second, it looked like Arsenal had found the breakthrough. The fans rose from their seats, expecting a goal. But the chance slipped away, and that moment would later feel even more painful.

While Arsenal tried to settle into the game, there was already a sense of uncertainty at the back. The big decision before kickoff had been the choice of goalkeeper. Kepa Arrizabalaga was selected ahead of David Raya, a decision that surprised many fans. Finals are not the place for experiments, and this choice would soon come under heavy scrutiny.

Kepa’s game started nervously. There was a moment early on when a long ball caused confusion. Jeremy Doku chased it down and looked ready to take advantage. Kepa rushed out, and things almost went very wrong. In his attempt to recover, he fouled Doku outside the box and was shown a yellow card. Some argued it could have been a red, and Arsenal were lucky to escape a worse punishment.

That moment felt like a warning sign, but unfortunately for Arsenal, it was only the beginning.

Manchester City began to grow into the game. Their movement became sharper, their passing more confident. Players like Matheus Nunes started finding space, and Arsenal’s defense was being stretched.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

A cross was delivered into the Arsenal box. It looked like a routine situation, something a goalkeeper should deal with comfortably. But Kepa misjudged it. Instead of catching the ball cleanly, he failed to hold on. The ball dropped dangerously in front of goal, and Nico O’Reilly reacted fastest. With a simple header, he put Manchester City ahead.

Wembley erupted, but not for Arsenal.

It was a painful goal to concede, not just because it gave City the lead, but because it came from a clear mistake. In finals, small errors become big moments, and this was one of them.

Arsenal tried to respond. They pushed forward, looking for a way back into the match. But Manchester City were calm, organized, and confident. They knew they had the advantage, and they played like a team that believed the trophy was already within reach.

Then came the second blow.

Again, it started from the right side. Matheus Nunes was given too much space. He had time to look up, to measure his cross, and that is always dangerous against a team like City. The ball was delivered into the box, and once again, Nico O’Reilly was there.

Another header. Another goal.

2-0.

For Arsenal, it felt like the game was slipping away fast.

Ben White had a very difficult afternoon. Facing Jeremy Doku is never easy. Doku is one of the best dribblers in the league, quick, direct, and fearless. White tried his best to contain him, but without the support of Jurrien Timber, who was missing from the squad, it became even harder. You could see that Arsenal missed Timber’s presence.

In defense, William Saliba showed moments of quality. There was one key situation where Erling Haaland looked ready to break through. Haaland is known for his strength and finishing, and when he gets a clear chance, it usually ends in a goal. But Saliba stayed calm. He timed his challenge perfectly and stopped the attack. It was a reminder of his quality, even in a difficult game.

Still, even strong individual moments could not hide the overall struggle.

Arsenal’s midfield found it hard to control the tempo. Passes that usually connect did not find their targets. Movement that is normally sharp looked slightly off. Manchester City pressed well, closing down spaces and forcing mistakes.

Mikel Arteta tried to change things. Substitutions were made. Fresh legs were introduced. The intention was clear: bring energy, create chances, and somehow find a way back into the game.

But Manchester City were too solid.

Every attack from Arsenal seemed to break down before it became truly dangerous. City defended with discipline and attacked with confidence. They looked like a team in control from start to finish.

As the minutes passed, the belief started to fade for Arsenal. The fans continued to support, hoping for a miracle, but the players on the pitch could not find the breakthrough they needed.

For Kepa, it was a night to forget. Goalkeepers often have quiet games, but when they make mistakes, those moments are remembered. His failure to deal with the cross for the first goal set the tone, and it was something Arsenal never fully recovered from.

For players like Ben White, it was a battle that showed how tough the Premier League can be. Facing top-level wingers like Doku requires not just skill, but also support and structure, something that Arsenal lacked on the day.

For Saliba, there were positives, moments that showed his quality and composure. But even he could not prevent the overall outcome.

And for Arteta, it was a reminder of how small margins decide big games. One mistake, one missed chance, one moment of hesitation — all of it adds up.

Manchester City, on the other hand, showed why they are one of the best teams in the world. They took their chances, punished mistakes, and controlled the game when it mattered most.

When the final whistle came, the difference between the two teams was clear. Not in effort, not in passion, but in execution.

Arsenal had moments. They had chances. But they did not take them.

Manchester City did.

And in a final, that is all that matters.