Man City end Arsenal's quadruple hopes as O'Reilly brace clinches Carabao Cup win

24:26Ian Wright:Well, I think you make great points there, Jane, But this is, for the guys to come out and play this poorly, especially like you heard him say it there himself, after 15 minutes they've felt quite comfortable, isn't it? For them to come out and play quite poorly in a game of this magnitude for Arsenal, yeah, people will probably ask questions, but Arsenal's project is about trying to win that league. So this might be the catalyst to make them understand, listen, we can't do this. We're not going to be playing with Kepa in goal. We probably have Eze back. Odegaard might be back. So it's a different team that's going to be going out there.

24:59Ian Wright:But what's got to happen is the mentality's got to be a lot better than it was today in the way we start. We can't do 15 minutes and then clock off simply because we can't break them down. Still got an awful lot to get through this evening here at Wembley. We'll talk the time to race a little bit more. Some more of the Manchester City players who have won this cup will join us. And we will hear from both managers as well. The first trophy of the season has gone to the blue half of Manchester. We'll be back after the break.

25:57Transcription by CastingWords us on YouTube. That's Off The Court, a Sky Sports podcast.

26:14Antoine Semenyo has joined us. Michael Richards is with us sometimes as he keeps hugging and having selfies with various City players that go past. Congratulations, winner's medal, which is what you joined for. Yeah, 100%. First of many. I'm excited, I'm happy and many more to come. What were you feeling like before this final, you personally? Very chilled. Were you? Very chilled and relaxed. It's just another game for me.

26:40Ian Wright:Was that because of the players in the dressing room? Did they make you feel very chilled and relaxed? Yeah, it's just like we had a game plan and if we got a game plan right we would win and we've done that today so we're all proud and happy. What about your position? You've played up front, you've played on the wing. Yeah. On the wing, he was devastating. Do you prefer that position? Yeah, I think I just have that freedom to do what I want, get our defenders and cause problems. And that's what I've done today. Had Nkappie running around a little bit. You had one of his hind legs, bro. Well, listen, it's just what I do.

27:09It's my job. And, yeah, it just gives me that freedom. Did you feel, as the game wore on, that you could get real success down that right-hand side because that's really where the goals come from because Nkappie had been booked? Yeah. Yeah, as soon as he got booked, he was backing off a lot. So it gave me the opportunity to drive at him, get in the box, cause problems, crash, shoot, whatever it was. So, yeah. When you signed for Bournemouth, I obviously watched you so much there. Can you believe how well things have gone? Because you was flying for Bournemouth, and then you never quite know where it was going to go.

27:35But you've just gone to Man City, and it feels like you're taking your game to another level, if that was possible. It feels like a fairytale, if I'm honest. But I feel like I've got a lot more to show. I feel like I want to be playing out wide. I want to play as a nine. I want to show how versatile I am. And, yeah, just help the team as much as we can. So, yeah, I'm enjoying my football, and it can only get better. I mean, with all due respect, never mind the signing for Bournemouth, go the 15-year-old you who had fallen out of love a little bit with football and now you're here playing for Manchester City with a winner's medal round yet.

28:08What would you say to the 15-year-old you now? God's got a plan. Listen, it might not work out and you might not know why, but the answer always reveals itself later on, so that's what I would say. Is this an easy dressing room to join and be part of, given you are joining a group of winners? Or can it be intimidating in any way? A little bit of both. It's like they've won so many trophies, so this feels like it's just another one for them. But for me, it's so personal. I've never won a trophy before, so give God all the glory. And to answer your question, it's not intimidating. I feel like everyone's got their experience, and they keep the guys that are new, calm, level-headed.

28:51and yeah, like today, we had our game plan, done everything right and victorious. Jamie had a question that I didn't let him ask Bernardo Silva, so you can ask Antoine now. Oh, no, I was just talking about what does this do for the title race? You've obviously nine points behind, you've got a game in hand, Arsenal have to go to the Etihad. Do you think that maybe leaves Arsenal a bit of scar tissue and it gives you the ascendancy? I think it gives us a boost. It gives us confidence coming back from the international break and hopefully catching up. I feel like we don't want to say too much because momentum can swing very quickly.

29:23So we just have to do our jobs leading up to that game and hopefully we can finish off the job, potentially. Funny old sport, isn't it? It comes off the back of a difficult couple of weeks with the Real Madrid staff and a couple of disappointed results in the league. You are right, it can change very quickly. Yeah, it can. So, I mean, we've got top quality players. We create a lot of chances and we've got good goal scorers. So, listen, it can change very quickly. Come on, we all let you go because you might get cold. Thank you very much. Congratulations. We could get more reaction now. Nathan Ake, again, I think with Pat.

29:59Nathan, you've won a lot of things with this club already, but how special is this one? How different from the others? It's very special. Obviously, last season we didn't win anything, so we wanted to win something this season. And I think this was a perfect way to do it, you know, against title contenders. So, in the end, it was a good win. How much was that on the back of your head? The fact that you haven't won anything last season and this is such a winning club. Yeah, exactly. You know, we are expected to win things. We expect that for ourselves. Last year was disappointing, so this year you wanted to do well.

30:33And yeah, we came again to the final of the Carabao this year. And yeah, if you are here, you want to win it. So very happy. As one of the senior players, how do you see your role just trying to transmit this to the players who have arrived at this club in the past couple of years, the culture, the winning culture of Manchester City? Well, you know, suddenly you're one of the older ones. It's a bit weird. But now we have a lot of young, talented players. But as you see, a lot of mentality as well. I think the manager already, you know, touched on it every day, every day in training, every day in meetings, you know, that we're expected to win.

31:09and obviously we have had our ups and downs this season but i think today we showed like even the young players nick o'reilly scoring two goals you know um yeah that everyone's got the mentality to to do good things how do you see this title leading up to two more things for this team that is information especially a boost for for the premier league fight yeah it's a massive boost i think you know every title is uh is one you take and um i think this as you said gives a bit of a boost obviously now there's international break but after that we come back and yeah we go again you never know what's going to happen obviously there's a lot of points behind but you never know we have the FA Cup as well and we're going to give everything and then we'll see well done Ben thank you very much Nathalie Gedra with Nathan Ake let's look at the the two goals Kepa will take all the flack Ian for the first one but City were dominating all of the Arsenal team at that stage

32:05Ian Wright:yeah they were because like Bernardo said there you know after the first 15 minutes they kind of felt comfortable but it was just one of those where you're just hoping that okay arsenal you know get staying it so as we can maybe get the get to the substitutions and then bam this happens you know it's just like it's like it's such a blow it's such a blow at that time because we're already on on our heels and we're trying to get into the game finding it very difficult from all quarters and then you know the goalkeeper i think he's too close too close to the near post there um you know and it's just a fumble and it's unfortunate because like i say he tried he had faith in him tried to play him all that sentimental stuff i said at the start of the game and then this happens and that's what can happen unfortunately i don't know if we can recue that actually because i i want to talk about from a defensive point of view right he was talking stuff there and just just just in terms of defensively being on a yellow card and in capier we talked about simenio had him on toes today but just just his position here and capier is known for being very aggressive when he plays left back he goes then to engage bernardo silver but because he's on that yellow card he doesn't want to go and now he's got players and you wanted to talk about o'reilly didn't you jane well i just think this is the benefit now nico said it in that interview with patrick davis said that he was a midfielder all his career but not only is he a midfielder look at the size of him he's about six foot three six four that then becomes a mismatch with Zubomendi you know that this is your point get tighter don't let him get into the box it's too easy but he would get tighter if he wasn't on that yellow card and that is the difference and that's where I think Arteta should have made the change at half time because when you're defending on a yellow card you defend differently especially when you're up against someone like Semenya on that right hand side which I suppose was what I was trying to say was the final most important error comes from the goalkeeper.

34:01There are other things in the build-up that you could highlight as not going how Arsenal would have wanted them to go. Yeah, but I think

34:07Ian Wright:that the main thing has been pointed out here. That's really up for it. You know, the main thing has been pointed out there by Jamie there with N 'Caprio because when he gets on the ball, he's got four or five yards. He can actually pass it past him. You know, he can pass it past him. Coming in, what's that Erling Haaland Erling Haaland has just joined us and we're going to show you the second goal that Nico O 'Reilly scores you can talk us through it Erling as Nico O 'Reilly scores because this is a very good header isn't it yeah take it a bit back when I start pressing though I need it a bit more I haven't got it any further back I can't do that because I was running like a dog you must be very pleased for him I mean first of all Jeremy amazing game you know he held the ball for us amazing and won lots of balls and i think also that was so good oh let's speak about the goal sorry yeah i mean ganado fills up in the box on to one that's what we need to do we need to get many in the box because you know it's a bigger chance of scoring and the more you have that and uh what a ball for matthews it's amazing

35:22it's a beautifully placed header though isn't it I mean and this is what the first time he's done it this season he's done it I don't remember which games it was a home game against I can't remember Newcastle or something it was had an amazing header so I mean what a game for him and I'm so happy for for him to be honest it's a great run Erlen I just want to just bring your attention to Bernardo Silva's run into the box here because that then takes saliva you can see him here he then gets salibas attention and that just lets in nico o'reilly just behind him fantastic run i mean and that's what we need to do we need to work around each other and we need to we need movement in the box because uh this is what happens and then we need to cross more as well like this so uh so yeah what an amazing uh amazing day

36:20You are the champions of the Carabao Cup yet again. What made you the proudest today? Yeah, what can I say? Always when we win a trophy is important, but the special league was special because we had a tough two weeks and especially against opponents. So it's the strongest one we have done in the Champions League. is so difficult and the way especially the second half in the first as well the first 15 minutes they were they suffocate us we could not breathe and after that when we won some second balls and we started you know to play and especially jeremy in the second half and and ryan so uh i'm i'm really pleased because i know against the opening we face michael create a team like is almost unbeatable and especially the way that makes us happy.

37:11And of course, bringing the fifth Carabao Cup in 10 years is not bad. You are the manager who's won it the most five times. Of course, each one has a different story. But what is special about this one? Every time you win a title, it looks like more and more difficult than it was in the past. Now, winning a title is really, really complicated for many, many reasons. For no matter games, for no matter consistency, you have half of the quality of the opponents. and that's why it's over time. I said, last time we won one title, I don't remember which one. I said, maybe it's so difficult. It doesn't matter which one.

37:46And especially the guys, the team behave unbelievably. What is hardest, Pep? Is it to win so many titles in a row with pretty much the same team and just keep winning, or is it to rebuild little by little and go back to winning? Yeah, when you start to win, still the generation is young, and still there, there, there, there. You can continue that. We bring a lot, a lot of players that are still... because it's not about what we have to do. I need to know them. So I need to know how they behave in certain moments in that way, the connection, displaying this player. And today in the modern football and you lose games, you are no chance because everyone is so competitive and difficult.

38:25And I think will be a good learning for the future, the team. And hopefully next season we can do better. With Nico O 'Reilly, how happy are you to see him score twice because you saw different things on him, you moved him around the pitch. How satisfying is it for you personally? Maybe I have been the sign of the season, right? So when we started the season and we had a long conversation with him, he didn't know he wanted to play and yeah, for different circumstances, for injury at the beginning, start to play in the left-back and impressed a lot his physicality in the set pieces in the game can play he playing in I remember Newcastle holding midfielder alongside Nico Gonzalez it was unbelievable so I can play in many many roles it's a guy in the final third in the position like he likes his attacking midfielder going the box he's really good in the real situations especially offensively defensively must improve and make it two fantastic goals you said recently that this team is so close to being where you want them to be in so many aspects.

39:31How much of a step was it today for them to be even closer to the team that you want? Win hell, but still we are not the team like for example Arsenal are. Or like we were in the past, like always we found a way, you know, to win titles. And this team still, but what I said before, I'm not suspicious now to to say it after win the Carabao Cup. It was underneath, we were close. But you have to refund, you have to re-insist and re-work and because the teams you don't understand why you are there and nothing you are on the bottom. So, the warnings always have to be on and of course, but for the club, for a lot of new generations start to do that is very important.

40:16And finally, how do you expect this trophy to reflect on the title, the Premier League title race? I would love to have nine points in front, to be honest. I would like, so it's in their hands. So they do a lot. I don't know. Now we need, I need personally an incredible break. I'm exhausted, devastated. And after we see step by step, but of course they have, I think, Nottingham and West Ham, the drop points there that punish us a lot. But yeah, we have to try. One game a hand. they come in at the stadium with our people and uh yeah continuous and we find the finals against Liverpool at home that I think that will help us for that tournament especially hopefully the people can come our fans that today was amazing last season for example maybe we're not full and today they come all Manchester here uh and I'm so happy for them because last two seasons I've struggled a little bit, but yeah, feel happy and people will try.

41:18Well done, Pepin-Joy. Thank you. Talk about the race for the league title in just a moment, but he is now out there on his own as a manager when it comes to league cup titles. He has now won five. And the other thing as well, Micah, in cup finals in general, he has won 18 out of 22. He's a master, isn't he? I mean, that is a phenomenal record, isn't it? And that's why he's so incredible in what he does, the way he plays football, the way he approaches the game, the way he always wants to win the game. You know, when you see other coaches tactically will go maybe into a defensive formation or weight, no matter what, he wants to win football with attacking football.

42:07And it was that game when he went to a five at the back at Arsenal, wasn't it? at the yes at the Emirates 5-4-1 and it was strange to see him do that because normally he would always be on the front foot but in terms of big moments he's one of the best to ever do without doubt sorry

42:26Ian Wright:no no I was going to say and the coach of his stature he's not stuck to one you know what I mean one formation if he feels he has to come to Arsenal and he's Man City and he's played 5-4-1 he'll play 5-4-1 but you can see him at the sideline here it means the world to him But, you know, I mean, he's team playing well and, you know, playing to a certain standard. It's really good to see. It's really good to see. He won't let them rest on anything. Because you can kind of look at the different levels of why he's pleased about today, whether it be simply winning a trophy, which is what they're all in it for, whether it be the new players that he's talked about, whether it be, you know, his relationship with Mikel Arteta and then the league title race as well.

43:08He played it down when he was asked a question about the league title. Now, don't get me wrong, of course you'd rather be in Arsenal's dressing room. You've got a nine-point buffer, but that can quickly change. And what I feel, if Arsenal would have won today, I just think that would have put Manchester City to bed. Now, it's just asked a question. The pressure will just ramp up just that extra little bit. There was a bit of a break now, obviously, with the internationals, and it gives Arsenal a lot of thinking time. They are the favourites, and rightly so. and I still think they will win it. But it just changes the dynamic.

43:41For a team that hasn't got across the line, now you've really asked the question, OK, we're coming after you. And I think with a team like Manchester City, that's probably the last side you want. Now, the only thing that probably goes against them, is that they've drawn two games against West Ham and against Nottingham Forest at the wrong time. But now this has given them that little bit of confidence again.

44:00Ian Wright:You know, the thing is, people are saying the nine points, and I think this is not a bad thing for Arsenal to reset themselves and refocus because they have to. It's not going to be easy because there's no way that Man City players are going down into that tunnel. This is nine points, but then they've got a game in hand and they've got to play them. It can go down to three and then all of a sudden the pressure really turns up. So this Man City side, make no mistake, you know, in saying it wants to be nine points, this nine points is a tight nine points. And this is what I feel from Arsenal's point of view have to do, they have to really refocus and just get themselves back on track and what they want to do.

44:35Ian Wright:They need to win games now. You know, people talk about how they're winning the games, all these set pieces. It doesn't matter. Everybody knows it doesn't matter. We've got a DNA of winning games with resilience. They've got a kick into that because I think this team, they know it's not over. It's not over. If we're going to be totally honest about what's going on, it's not over. What happened with Arsenal today though, right? From your point of view. You know, like I said, Mix, I saw when City were pressing them really high, It seems like City are pressing them really high because I think for a start, Saka's not going to be blasting.

45:09Ian Wright:I don't think Jokeres is going to be blasting with the kind of pace that's going to cause them problems. And I don't think Trossard is going to either. I think when you look at how poorly our midfield was in respect of Zubimendi's retention of the ball and how he kept it, it wasn't good today. So even if we were going to try and play out, we didn't have the players who were playing well enough for it. And then all of a sudden, it just kept the ball. We got the ball up top to the guys, Kai Havertz and Jokeres. it came straight back. And so after the 15 minutes, after that chance, hopefully that chance went in, maybe they would have played differently.

45:39Ian Wright:But once that chance went in, all of a sudden, City just got more and more confident, just more and more playing and then more and more expanding. And then they just started playing how they played. Sorry, do you give City credit for how they neutralised Arsenal, all of you? Particularly in the second half, they couldn't play it short because they pressed high. And yet they couldn't go long because they couldn't keep it up there because City defended as well as they did. I reckon, Joe, if you looked at the stats today, it felt like Kepa had more touches of the ball from Arsenal than anyone else.

46:09He was waiting on the ball, holding the ball. And the disappointment would be... Which is my point, sorry, about, therefore, do you give City credit for that because he was there holding the ball and had no options? But I also think you have to look at Arsenal as well because one thing, they lost Odegaard and Noese today, and that's a huge blow because you need somebody, I always think as a midfield, that's where you can win the game, especially if you get hold of it. Cherokee started to influence the game second half. you didn't really see Kai Havertz. But the one thing I will say is, even when they went direct, against Ake and Kusinov, they were brilliant.

46:38Because that physicality that Arsenal would think they might be the dominant factor, never transpired. They dealt with them so well. I never saw Havertz or Jokerez win a header or a second ball. So you were never really able to get hold of that game in that area, Ian.

46:52Ian Wright:So that's why it felt a little bit like, things are going to have to change. Because for me, I said it, once we start sitting down there, after the 15, 20 minutes, As I said, this game, it needs Martinelli. Because what we needed was, we needed an out. Get everybody up. Excuse me. And then try and press them up there. Maybe win the ball back. And then see if we can attack them further up the pitch. But we couldn't get out. We couldn't get out. Because as soon as we got out, Jokras would lose it. Or Kai Havertz would lose it. They'd get it. And they'd straight back at us. Straight back at Incaplier, who was on a yellow card.

47:23I think that's exactly right. But I think in answer to your question, Chapas, yes, it is down to Man City as well. because they were brave. If you look how they set up when Arsenal had the ball and the goalkeeper was dawdling on the ball, they was going a 4-4, wasn't they? And previously, Man City sometimes go with a 3 and they just didn't let them out. But then the defenders had to be brave and go all the way up. That's why you've seen so many tussles in the first half a little bit. And then they saw in the second half, they built on that momentum and Arsenal was making so many individual errors.

47:57And I think in modern-day football now, everyone is so... On trying to play out from the back, sometimes you just need to kick the ball long, squeeze up, and then get a breather, and then see if Arsenal can do that to Man City. But they just couldn't get anywhere.

48:13Ian Wright:Jay, do you think that with Kepa, obviously, mate, we can talk about a goal. Do you think with Kepa, because I haven't seen City do that before, the four up like that. Do you think they wanted to keep the pressure on Kepa in playing out like he did? because it was very shaky. It wasn't solid, was it? Absolutely. He never looked comfortable with the ball at his feet because also the way that Arsenal are so used to playing with Raya, who's unbelievable, probably one of the best sweeper keepers I've ever seen because he makes great angles for the centre-backs as soon as they've got the ball. It's totally different when you've got a different keeper in there.

48:44And I think that, of course, he makes a mistake, but I just also think when you've got a goalkeeper that's not used to playing with your back four, don't complicate it. Mike, I want to bring you back something you said off camera, which was a great point. You said... Which? There he is. Early in the second half, he said, he's got to take off and cap here. He's got to make the change. That's a good point. He waited. He waited. And all of a sudden, 1-0, he was going to make it. They're all ready to come on and they go 2-0 down. Then the game's pretty much gone. You're not going to get back in it from there.

49:13But they should have made that. I think he should have made that substitution early because he'd been booked. I think you're right. I think we all played football, even at your level, chappers. Momentum's a big thing in football. Exactly. And when Semenyo went up against Nkappie early in the second half I would say he needs to get him off because on the goal like you said he wasn't getting tight because he can't trust him you know Nkappie he's been brilliant for Arsenal but he's been brilliant because he's been aggressive and he couldn't be aggressive because he was on a yellow card that's when I think the mistake was made he should have changed it after he's seen Semenu was getting the better of him early on in that half just on aggressive defending can I just do one more on Manchester City and then after the break we're going to hear from Mikel Arteta we can do more of Arsenal Kusunov.

49:56Outstanding. And he, I think if you don't watch City week in, week out you will still go back to the debut he had a horrific debut, didn't he? For City against Chelsea. And yet, you talk to City fans and they are telling us that he is one of the first names on the team sheet at the moment. With how he is performing as a set, I mean he flattened Jokeres and got a yellow card in the first half. But he does look transformed. Yeah, but you have to look at the setup when you watch City play and that's why Kyle Walker was so important City have so many men forward at a time in the game where if your positioning is not right you will get exposed and that's why I missed Kyle Walker Nunes went into right back but Kusinov because of his pace now you see him he's starting to read the game he played unbelievable against Real Madrid it is one of the best performance I've seen from a young centre-half and then you build that confidence you know what you're doing, and then you trust him each other.

50:54And when your teammates trust you, it just gives you that little bit of confidence. Go on, James. Sorry, I was just going to say, I think it felt like a big moment for him was in the Carabao Cup early in the season. We were at a game at Newcastle away when he started with Max Salain. And again, I said before the game, I was definitely wrong. That's an area where Newcastle can really exploit that. He wasn't wrong because of the inexperience. He was fantastic. And he's just been given time. Because a lot of players, that debut was, horrendous in terms of, you know, you almost as a player, you felt so sorry for him.

51:27Yeah, you did. His head was in a tumble dry. I know he just signed. He probably shouldn't have been exposed to that. But unbelievable how he's come back. And he's got one valuable well, he's got a lot of valuable commodities, but the one that he's got in abundance is pace. He is so quick. It always helps, doesn't it?

51:40Ian Wright:You know what I would say? This is why I'm saying look at someone like Christian. You've got to watch him and how he plays. He's one of them defenders, Micah, Jane. He wants to win the ball in front. He wants to win it because you've got to start making the kind of movement to make him think is I'm going to go there and I'm going to go here you've got to start making him think because what he wants to do he wants to nick it in front he wants to come and hit it in front they need to start making a movement for me Jokeres where he's going to go there but he's going to go long so he's got to give Cushenov some form of problem and it didn't happen today and I'll tell you what he did fantastically well because we spoke about with um getting booked in Capia he got booked early in the game but he still managed it well.

52:19He never got himself in a position. He knew when to get tight and be aggressive and he knew when to step off. But that was the difference in Capia. Like you say, he just didn't know what to do. And that is also credit to Semenyo and Cherky down that right-hand side. We will turn our attentions back towards Arsenal when we come back and we will hear from Mikel Arteta that no longer a quadruple on the cards for Arsenal. Still a treble there, very much so. We will get the thoughts of the Arsenal manager when we come back.

53:01Michael, obviously a big disappointment. How raw does it feel right now? Yeah, it's painful when you get to a final and you have that will to win the first trophy of the season. after eight months working on it is always tough. The game had moments in the first half and we were very good. We had the best chance of the game so far to put it one nil and then the game would have been different. In the second half we started not so great and the first 15-20 minutes we had problems sitting too deep and then giving the ball away, straight away too many occasions. But the reality is that they had two shots and they scored two goals and that's the level as well.

53:40What's your overall feeling about how your team have played? Do you have that sort of nagging sense that on a big day you didn't quite deliver your best level? There are two different halves. I think the first half is one that is very positive and the second half in every sense. And the second half, especially the first 20-25 minutes, a different one. But as well, you have to get credit to the position and the level that they have. And that's not a coincidence. That's what they've done in the last 10 years. What happened in that phase of the game? you seem to suddenly start to find it so difficult to get out.

54:13To get out from? From the keeper. You're obviously trying to bait the press.

54:19Ian Wright:And it felt so difficult for you to get up the pitch. We were in precise on time. We had the opportunities to break them through. We gave the ball away when we regained the ball. We gave it straight back. And then they had momentum in deep, which they're going to do at times because, as I said, they are really good on that. And then, yeah, without really creating nothing, they scored the goal, the first goal out of nothing and three minutes later the second one. Genuine question. Is there anything more you can do in those moments? There's a couple of phases where Kepa holds onto the ball at his feet for like 40 seconds.

54:50Is he doing the right thing there to try and bait the press or is there another way around that? I've got a lot of things and it's not the moment to talk about that. Obviously, for the manager, always if you win you're a genius. If you lose you're the guy who has to answer the questions. Which I am. Which you are, absolutely. But any regrets about the choice of goalkeeper? but that will be the headline from that. I will do it again because he deserves to play this game and it's been phenomenal for us and that's it. Errors are part of football and anybody can make them. Do you think the weight of necessity, expectation, they're used to winning, you're trying to make a breakthrough, does that play any part today?

55:26I don't think because if not, I think we would have seen it in the first half and that didn't happen. Last question then, how important to stay calm in this moment? You've still got potentially a huge, magical season ahead of you. and I remember after Wolves and I remember after Man United you stayed calm you kept the team sort of on message is it another important moment for calm heads? We had great incredible eight incredible months together two days of disappointment football is part of that and then we have to work and improve and use that fire that we have in the belly right now to have two amazing months at the end of the season Thank you Mikel Thank you I mean it's so surprising is it that he's going to say he's got no regrets over his selection he's not going to come out and go actually with hindsight like maybe I shouldn't have switched my goalkeepers.

56:10He's got to support his players. That's understandable.

56:12Ian Wright:Yeah, absolutely. But, you know, the thing is, obviously it would have been brilliant for us to win this, for the fans. You know, they haven't seen us lift a trophy. Probably when we did lift a trophy is in the COVID. So it would have been nice for the fans. But in respects of, like I say, the project and what we're doing, the main thing is to focus on the league. This would have been good. And I think that we have to be in the mindset of, you know, Come on, let's get ready. Let's go again. It's unfortunate. City done well. They're a great side. They punished us for the mistakes we made. But we've got bigger fish to fry, so let's go and focus on that.

56:47Does the international break help, do you think? And actually, they've got the FA Cup as well. So it goes international break, then FA Cup. So the next time they play in the league is, what, three weeks away?

56:57Ian Wright:There's plenty of time, but Arsenal's record, they've scored the joint most goals with City. They conceded the less goals. They're still playing well. still making themselves difficult to beat. They're not making it comfortable to watch a Naster game in respects of the latter stages, apart from what Max done the other day. But they're still winning games. And we've got to go to the positive place because we want to finish this off. You know, this is the fourth season we're trying to do it. Can't finish second again. We've got to try and finish this off. And that's where we need to make sure that the energy is focused on getting that done.

57:29Ian Wright:So would you have started Rhea today? Me personally? Yes, just as a... Just me personally. Yeah, of course I would. You said that before the game as well, Ronnie. Only because, listen, I don't mind the sentiment, you know what I mean, of playing the second keeper. I don't mind it if that's what you want to do. But for me, if you want to win the tournament, you want your best goalkeeper in. I think that's just, for me, that's just how I feel about it. And I think that kind of mistake is the reason I can say that and the reason why fans will probably say, well, Reyes should have started. But he doesn't regret it.

58:03Ian Wright:He believes it was the right decision to make. unfortunately he made that mistake and now you know i mean again you just have to think to yourself well it was a gamble and it didn't work out the flip side of that of course jamie and you said you would have started raya at the start of the flip side of that is that anybody can make a mistake and as i as i asked you pre-match if at the start of the carabao cup campaign you say i'm going to go with my number two keeper and you get all the way to the final that way players are going to appreciate the loyalty of that, aren't they? I think they'd appreciate if he hadn't dropped that ball and Real was in goal.

58:38So, no, I don't quite, I don't get that sentiment, if I'm honest, Mark. It's just the way I am. I don't, I don't, this has become a new phenomenon over the last few years. Now, we've seen Kepa, I'm not trying to jump into his grave here, but we saw him, something very similar happened when he was a goalkeeper for Chelsea. Sarri, yeah. When he had Sarri and he had cramp and then he missed a penalty. So, I don't really like this. but Kelleher is a great example where it's gone really well because he did that for Liverpool. Now, each to their own. I don't like it. I just feel that it should be. You're trying to win it.

59:10Max Allain is a really good young defender. He played against Newcastle at centre-back. So brilliant. He did really well. But does that mean that you're going to keep, oh, because he did really well against Newcastle. Let's play him at centre-back. The most important position where, especially with goalkeepers being a little bit rusty, they make mistakes. So he looked it and that mistake looked like a goalkeeper. It doesn't make any sense to me to do it, but it's become a new thing. And yeah, oh, it's great. It's been nice. Let's keep our goalkeepers happy. Arsenal need to win trophies. That's the stick that beats them all the time.

59:44Now, if they win this one today, and I don't think David Rea, people might say, well, David Rea made a mistake against Wolves a few weeks ago, but that was a totally different one to that one today. I just think I wouldn't have started him, and it was a big mistake playing him. One more final thing to discuss, and that's where does this leave? The title racing has made his thoughts very clear. How will Manchester City feel as they look to try and rein in Mikel Arteta's side? One more break and then we'll be back for that.

1:00:26Manchester City's win in the Carabao Cup final. will set them up nicely for a Premier League showdown that is coming up in just a few weeks. They welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Sunday, April the 19th, a 4.30 kick-off on Sky Sports Premier League. This is how the Premier League table looks this evening. Aster Villa beating West Ham earlier. So it's a nine-point deficit. And Manchester City had a game in hand. And Ian, as Pep Guardiola says, you would take Arsenal's position every day of the week, but it's funny how the mind works.

1:01:04Ian Wright:It is, especially when you've tried it three times and you've kind of not got over the line for whatever reason, you know. Injuries to top players, whatever it is, depth of squad, you know, just lack of experience. You know, we've not done it, but like this season, I don't think there's any excuses if we don't do it because I think we have got the depth in squad. It comes down to mentality and just seeing it through. We're in the pole position. I think if we, I was saying, if we won this tournament here, if we won this cup here and nothing else, I think Arsenal fans will be devastated. So you have to look at it like that.

1:01:39Ian Wright:This is one that we could say, okay, it's gone. The project is the Premier League and now we've got to make sure that we get into the right frame of mind because we can't play games like that and finish off and win the league if we're going to play like that. We have to see this through. And that's where we are. there's a couple of things with the Arsenal team right now that would worry me a little bit, would be... Mark, you take this first and I'll come back to it. All right, well, they are the biggest deficits that have been overturned after over 30 games. And Manchester City have done that, what, one, two, three, four times since 2011-12.

1:02:15What are you laughing at? Right, come on, you were so upbeat before. I am upbeat!

1:02:21Ian Wright:It's like Sky just pulling out all these things to show Arsenal can't do it, bro. That's all Sky just seen in the world, like four times City's dead. Do you wish that when ITV went, you'd gone as well? Do you know something? These are all the things that Arsenal have to deal with. And this is what it's about. You know, Arsenal are a club that they're trying to do it. It's desperate for 20-odd years. We need to do it. It's four times. It's the fourth time we're trying. And it's tough. It's not going to be easy. And this is what I'm trying to say to the fans. Let's make sure that we stay behind the guys because this is the time where they need us the most.

1:02:55Ian Wright:Absolutely here now. You can't panic though. We had the same thing going up against Man United when we won the league for so long. I feel as though this is a big blow, maybe psychologically, but it's not the end. You're still in three more trophies. You know, this would take a little getting over, especially because you've got an international break, but you're still in with a fight. Can we let Jamie make his point for earlier rather than, oh, we've reeled him at United. Right now, the boys have won league titles. It feels like this is where you need your star players to step up. The player that I feel right now isn't performing to the level that he can has been Pukai Osaka.

1:03:32I want to see more from him. He's been a difference maker for Arsenal for so long, for so many times. Of late, I haven't seen that sort of guile and imagination and skill and goals that we need to see from him. And he's got Max Dalman obviously breathing down his neck, Maduaki down that right-hand side. I think maybe even playing down the left some side, Saka. Some it needs to, because it feels like he's not getting any success against anyone he's playing against. Now, I'm a big fan and I love the way he plays, but he is the man that has to start taking the game by the scruff of the neck and playing with no fear if Arsenal are going to win this title.

1:04:02Okay, let's just show you what's coming up before we leave.

1:04:10Fight night, Sunday, April the 5th. you've got those two big fights then across Sky Sports Action and Saturday Night Live UK came to Sky last night that is available now with Tina Fey that is it, thank you I feel like we need to do a group hug thank you Micah, thank you Jamie he's worn his lucky hat as well bye bye

1:04:36Ian Wright:I'll spin it on at the end of the season

1:04:42Shine, light on me Shine, light on me