Paul Scholes Claims Bukayo Saka ‘Looks Lost’ as Manchester City Secure Carabao Cup Final Victory Over Arsenal

Paul Scholes criticizes Arsenal's "set-piece obsession" and Bukayo Saka's form after Manchester City's 2-0 Carabao Cup final win at Wembley.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 6:43 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Joe Williams

The Tactical Stagnation of the Gunners at Wembley

The Citizens claimed the first major domestic trophy of the 2026 season on Sunday, fueled by a double from Nico O’Reilly that secured a 2-0 win over Arsenal at Wembley. While the North London side remains at the top of the Premier League table, the nature of the defeat has prompted harsh critiques from pundits regarding their offensive identity. Paul Scholes, speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, suggested that Arsenal’s current tactical approach has become overly rigid, stifling the natural ability of their most dangerous attacking assets during high-stakes encounters.

Bukayo Saka’s Statistical and On-Field Decline

A primary concern for Arsenal is the recent form of Bukayo Saka, who Scholes described as looking "lost at the minute." By the winger’s elite standards, his recent output has seen a significant drop, with only two goals and one assist recorded in his last 16 appearances across all competitions. Scholes noted that the issue stems from a disconnect between the midfield and the forward line, stating that the team simply cannot get the ball to Saka in areas where he can utilize his "great ability," leaving the England international peripheral to the game’s most critical moments.

The Perils of Set-Piece Obsession

Scholes drew a comparison between modern-day Arsenal and the historic Stoke City sides that relied heavily on Rory Delap's long throws. He argued that Mikel Arteta’s squad has become so focused on winning corners and set-piece opportunities that they have "forgotten about the other way they can actually score goals." This singular focus has made them predictable for top-tier opponents like Manchester City, who demonstrated at Wembley that they were willing to sprint and concede corners rather than risk defensive lapses, knowing the Gunners’ open-play threat had diminished.