Ian Wright names Arsenal player who should have started Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City

Ian Wright was surprised by Mikel Arteta’s team selection for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

Arsenal’s wait for a first major trophy since 2020 goes on after they were beaten 2-0 by Premier League title rivals Man City at Wembley.

The Gunners were marginally the better side in the first half but it was a totally different story after the break, with two Nico O’Reilly goals stunning Arteta’s side.

Arsenal tried to find a way back into the match but were left frustrated, with substitute Gabriel Jesus coming closest when he hit the bar.

The north London side’s best chance in fact came early on when Kai Havertz was denied by Manchester City back-up goalkeeper James Trafford.

But Arsenal were relatively toothless and Wright, speaking at half-time, revealed he wanted Gabriel Martinelli to start against Manchester City.

Leandro Trossard was favoured on the left-hand side for Arsenal but struggled to make an impact and was replaced by Martinelli late on.

‘From an Arsenal point of view I would have Gabriel Martinelli in there,’ Wright said on Sky Sports. ‘Martinelli would always make my team, especially on a day like this at Wembley.

‘Arsenal need to get out and we’re not holding the ball up well enough or long enough. So Arsenal need someone to run us out of problems and cause some problems ourselves.’

Meanwhile, ex-Arsenal defender Matt Upson said Manchester City ‘absolutely dominated’ the second half at Wembley.

‘What a performance Pep Guardiola’s team have delivered,’ Upson said before criticising Kepa Arrizabalaga, who made a poor error for City’s opening goal.

‘A great example of a team that in a major final are able to make the difference.

‘The second half was absolutely dominated by Manchester City, they were absolutely superb.’

On Kepa’s mistake, Upson added: ‘What a mistake from Kepa, you have to say that. It is a goalkeeping error as it goes over him.

‘It’s a horrible error at this moment, on this stage. You don’t let Arsenal out, situations like this can happen.

‘A complete fumble from Kepa who is reaching at full stretch. He takes all the pace off the ball and it just drops for Nico O’Reilly. What a give away.’

Upson also praised Manchester City hero O’Reilly, who bagged a surprising brace to stun Arsenal.

‘Nico O’Reilly gets the goals, he gets the headlines. He’s a player in top form,’ he said.

‘Physically, he is a machine. He’s got height, he can run, he has got the strength and physicality.’

Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards, meanwhile, said of O’Reilly: ‘Absolutely outstanding moment for Nico, coming from the academy.

‘He was a midfielder, but he adapted and learned how to play left-back. It’s so good to see what it means to him.’

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