DAWN OF A BLUE ERA
City’s crushing victory shows they are ready to dominate our game for YEARS to come
IN the end, it turned into one of the most one-sided Wembley cup finals of all time.
It was a timely reminder of just how far Manchester City are ahead of Arsenal. The sorry truth was that City did not even need to be at their very best to embarrass and overrun the Gunners. If Pep Guardiola’s first trophy signals the start of a new era of success at the Etihad, then this defeat should also signal the beginning of the end for Arsene Wenger. These clubs are moving in completely opposite directions, even if being judged against City is a very lopsided barometer, because the wind of change is blowing towards the Etihad.
This City team are also on course for the Premier League title, look genuine contenders for the Champions League, and the League Cup could be the first piece of an historic Treble.
Ignore Wenger’s disparaging remarks, Guardiola has raised the bar and set a new standard. City are the new kings of English football and the first part of the coronation took place as a blue moon rose over Wembley.
City were way better than Arsenal in every department: defensively, midfield and up front. In fairness, you could probably say that about most teams. But, crucially, when it came to heart and desire, the Blues also had way more than Arsenal. The first half was at least competitive, but City made the Gunners look a complete shambles after the break, and the result could have been even more comprehensive. None of the north Londoners’ big players turned up, while City’s were magnificent, as Sergio
Aguero ( far left), Vincent Kompany and David Silva scored. Proof that truly big players turn up on the big occasion.
Arsenal actually started quite well and Pierre EmerickAubameyang could have scored after just eight minutes, but Kyle Walker’s last-ditch tackle and Claudio Bravo’s desperate save kept the ball out.
City made them pay in the 18th minute, as Arsenal’s defending was horribly exposed. It typified their spineless and weak performance.
Bravo’s long clearance went straight down the middle, Aguero held his ground, had a tussle with Shkodran Mustafi, before racing clear for goal. With keeper David Ospina rushing off his line, Aguero coolly lobbed the ball into the empty net.
It felt a little strange that Guardiola took the first step to his first trophy for City with route-one football. Mustafi complained he had been fouled, but it was probably out of embarrassment.
There was very little way back for Arsenal and, even when Aubameyang went through, Kompany matched him stride for stride, won the ball back, and cleared the danger. Men against boys.
Fernandinho, who limped off in the second half with a hamstring injury, was lucky not to be sent off for two blatant fouls on Jack Wilshere, but only the first resulted in a yellow card. Wilshere was the only Arsenal player to emerge with any credit, as at least he showed some heart.
Guardiola claimed afterwards he was unhappy with City’s firsthalf display, but he would have been delighted with the second half. Right from the start, City pinned Arsenal back and there was only going to be one winner.
Arsenal’s defending became more shambolic, and City got their second after 58 minutes. Kevin De Bruyne, for once placed in the shade by his team-mates, put over a corner, Ilkay Gundogan scuffed a shot and Kompany turned it home.
Seven minutes later, City got their third. Full-back Danilo played the ball through to Silva, and he fired past Ospina, while some of Arsenal’s players jogged back as they had already given up.
By the final whistle, the Gunners’ end was deserted while City fans waved their blue flags. Kompany lifted the trophy as the fireworks sparkled.
Arsenal fans voted with their feet, the message is clear that they have given up on this team, and maybe the manager. For City, this feels like just the beginning for Guardiola. They can dominate for years to come.