sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Ian Wright calls out Mikel Arteta decision vs Man City that cost them Carabao Cup

Home> Football> Football News> Arsenal

Updated 18:40 22 Mar 2026 GMTPublished 18:24 22 Mar 2026 GMT

Ian Wright calls out Mikel Arteta decision vs Man City that cost them Carabao Cup

The Arsenal legend has revealed the one change he would have made ahead of the final.

Ben McCrum

Ben McCrum

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Ian Wright has named the one thing that he would have changed about Arsenal's Carabao Cup final lineup.

On Sunday afternoon, Manchester City and Arsenal arrived at the iconic Wembley Stadium for the first chance of silverware this season, the Carabao Cup final.

Heading into the match, Arsenal, who lead City in the Premier League table by nine points, were the favourites as Mikel Arteta looked to secure his second major trophy with the London club.

However, two quick goals from English youngster Nico O'Reilly shortly after the hour mark saw Manchester City once again win the Carabao Cup for the fifth time with Pep Guardiola.

Advert

The result is a brutal blow for Arsenal, but there's one change that club legend Wright believes could have made the difference and potentially changed the outcome of the match.

Following a tense opening half, the two rivals went into the changing rooms with the scoreline remaining 0-0 and during the break, Wright was asked for his opinion on the match.

Although he was mostly positive about his side's performance, he admitted that he believed that Gabriel Martinelli would always be a part of his team, suggesting he could have started the match.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "Gabriel Martinelli would always make my team, especially on a Wembley pitch like today. We need someone to run us out of problems.”

He added that Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz were not holding the ball up long enough and that the Brazilian could inject some pace that would cause City problems.

Wright added: "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."

Instead of Martinelli, Arteta opted to start Leandro Trossard in his starting lineup for the match.

Nico O'Reilly scored two to win the Carabao Cup for City. (Image: Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images)
Nico O'Reilly scored two to win the Carabao Cup for City. (Image: Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images)

Arteta did eventually call on Martinelli in the second half, as he came on in the 83rd minute to replace Trossard.

However, the Brazilian was unable to make enough of an impact on the game to overturn City's two-goal lead.

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

Topics: Arsenal, Ian Wright, Carabao Cup, Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Arteta, Manchester City, Football

Ben McCrum
Ben McCrum

Ben is a sports journalist who specialises in football, Formula One and MMA. He has written for publications such as Manchester Evening News, WiganToday, Manchester World and beIN Sports. Throughout his career, he has interviewed top athletes including Gareth Southgate, Luke Littler, Tom Aspinall and Jenson Button.

X

@benmcc14

Recommended reads

Ranking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGetty

Advert

  • Carabao Cup final referee is banned from officiating games involving Arsenal and Man City rival
  • Arsenal and Man City make League Cup history before a ball is even kicked in final
  • Man City 'sources' provide latest update on 115 charges case
  • Tottenham told exactly what relegation would cost club as stark details around player wages emerge

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    England's World Cup opponents make historic manager announcement 59 days before tournament

    The announcement has been made just 59 days before the tournament kicks off in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

    Football
  • Getty - The United Stand/YouTube
    2 hours ago

    Gary Neville explains decision to buy Mark Goldbridge's YouTube channels in seven-figure deal

    The Overlap has acquired Goldbridge’s YouTube channels The United Stand and That’s Football.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Raheem Sterling's future at Feyenoord takes shock twist just months after joining

    Raheem Sterling only joined Feyenoord in February and has played six times for the Rotterdam outfit.

    Football
  • Sky Sports
    3 hours ago

    Jamie Carragher snubs Roy Keane as his number one Premier League midfielder live on air

    Jamie Carragher picked his top 10 greatest Premier League midfielders on Monday Night Football.

    Football