Arsenal's hopes of ending their trophy drought were dashed at Wembley Stadium as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Manchester City in the 2026 Carabao Cup final. Goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland secured the victory for Pep Guardiola's side, handing them the first major domestic trophy of the English season.
The match, played on March 1, 2026, saw Arsenal struggle to create clear chances against a disciplined City defense. Manager Mikel Arteta's tactical setup was questioned after the game, with pundits noting a lack of attacking impetus from his team in a major final.
This loss marks another setback for Arsenal in cup competitions under Arteta and extends their wait for a trophy. The performance has intensified scrutiny on the squad's ability to win crucial matches against top-tier opposition, casting a shadow over their remaining objectives for the 2025-26 campaign.
