Neville: Man City Dealt Arsenal a "Major Blow" with Carabao Cup Final Victory

Gary Neville is convinced Manchester City have struck a decisive blow in the Premier League title battle after dismantling Arsenal in Sunday's Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Nico O'Reilly's two-goal haul settled the contest, but the narrative centred on Kepa Arrizabalaga's calamitous display in the Arsenal goal. A catalogue of errors from the goalkeeper—most notably a howler that led directly to the opening goal—proved costly in a match the Gunners simply couldn't win.

The Citizens remain nine points adrift of Arsenal in the league standings, though Guardiola's outfit possess a game in hand and face their rivals at the Etihad in April. That fixture looms large now, with City having captured the first piece of silverware on offer this season.

Neville was scathing in his assessment of Kepa's contribution, particularly the goalkeeper's habit of dawdling on the ball throughout the second half. "He's got to get rid of it," the Sky Sports pundit remarked. "All he's doing is getting the crowd wound up. It's not helping Arsenal one bit."

The former Manchester United defender went further, describing the error leading to O'Reilly's opener as "a real howler in a massive moment." He added: "Goalkeepers have got to stop doing that. They take the momentum clean out of the game and send the opposition a message that you haven't got a clue. It's nonsense."

Beyond Kepa's individual failings, Neville observed a broader collapse from Arteta's side. "Arsenal have shrunk in this game," he said. "What's happened to them? Mikel's team have gone missing, especially in that second half."

Yet Neville reserved particular praise for City's response. The win, he believes, provides exactly the lift Guardiola's squad required as they chase down the Gunners. "They've landed a major blow," Neville said post-match. "Man City needed something to rejuvenate them and they've just got it. Pep will be incredibly proud—his team have delivered when it mattered."

For Arsenal, the setback represents more than just a trophy lost; their Quadruple ambitions have evaporated. Mikel Arteta faces a significant rebuilding job, though he attempted to frame the defeat in longer-term perspective.

"What this team has achieved in the last eight months has been incredible," Arteta told reporters. "We're going to use this disappointment and this fire in our bellies to have the most amazing two months together. That's on us—we'll manage that energy properly. We have to go through this pain and disappointment now; it's normal, it's part of football."