Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has claimed that the 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final has turned up the pressure on the Gunners in the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side fell to a disappointing defeat at Wembley as they contested the silverware final of the season, with the Gunners’ quadruple bid falling at the first hurdle as Nico O’Reilly scored a brace to secure the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal were bidding for a first major trophy since 2020 but a howler from Kepa Arrizabalaga gifted O’Reilly his first goal, before the City full-back arrived in the box to power a header past Kepa for the second.
It means that City strike the first blow in this season’s renewed rivalry between the two clubs, who currently sit in first and second in the Premier League.
And while the Gunners lead the league by nine points, Wright urged caution as they navigate the rest of the league season, explaining that the players need to “refocus and get themselves back on track”.
“It’s nine points, but Man City have a game in hand and they’ve got to play them, so it can go down to three,” explained Wright. “All of a sudden, the pressure really turns up. Make no mistake, this nine points is a tight nine points
“Arsenal really need to refocus and get themselves back on track for what they want to do. They need to win games now.
“People talk about how they win games ‘oh it’s set pieces’ – it doesn’t matter, everyone knows that. We’ve got a DNA of winning games resiliently. They’ve got to kick into this because this team know it’s not over.”
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp agreed with Wright, adding: “For Arsenal, the doubts, the negativity, this changes the whole complexion of the title race. I’m not saying it puts Man City completely back in it, but it gives them a massive opportunity when they play in April.”
On the City side, defender Nathan Ake called the win “a massive boost”, though Pep Guardiola was more cautious.
“I would love to be nine points in front to be honest. It’s in their hands. I, personally, need an incredible break,” said Guardiola. !I’m exhausted. And after, we’ll see step by step.”
Arsenal’s nine-point gap can be cut to six when City play their game in hand against Crystal Palace, while Guardiola’s men also host the Gunners at the Etihad on 19 April in a match that will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the title race.
