This weekend, Arsenal will return to Wembley for a League Cup final for the first time in seven years, so let’s look at how things have changed in that time for the two finalists.
That was then
Back in 2011, Arsenal faced Birmingham City in the League Cup final. In the build up to the game, all the talk was either about ending the trophy drought (which was in its sixth year), or the club’s potential quadruple-winning season.
That might sound ridiculous now, but at the time it didn’t seem so out of the question.
Arsenal were just one point off Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table, and the title race was still very much alive.
In the League Cup Arsenal only had to beat Birmingham to pick up the trophy, and in the FA Cup Leyton Orient were all that stood in the way of a spot in the quarter finals.
Finally, in the Champions League, Arsenal had just beaten the best team in Europe, Barcelona and they had a 2-1 advantage to take to Camp Nou.
By contrast, that same day Manchester City were dropping points to Fulham.
After their 1-1 draw, they sat 10 points off the league leaders. They were already out of the League Cup, and playing in the Europa League. The only positives were it looked like they might qualify for the Champions League, and they were still in the FA Cup.
Even City’s trophy drought was significantly longer. They’d gone almost exactly 35 years since winning the League Cup in 1976. As for winning the league, they had last managed that in 1967/68, compared to Arsenal’s fairly fresh 2003/04 campaign.
Since that day, however, the two clubs completely switched fortunes…
Cup final collapse
Arsenal lost the League Cup final in disastrous circumstances.
Obafemi Martins’ late winner meant the club missed out on a trophy again. Robin van Persie’s injury didn’t help either, as he joined Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott as recent additions to the medical room.
Van Persie made it back in time to face Barcelona, but he was controversially sent off as Arsenal lost 3-1.
Three consecutive draws meant the Premier League dream disappeared, and Manchester United knocked the club out of the FA Cup.
In just over a month, Arsene Wenger’s side went from fighting on four fronts, to a battle for top four.
Manchester City pushed up the table, overtook Arsenal, but fell short of a title challenge.
They did end their trophy drought though, achieving FA cup success with a win over Stoke City.
Next, role reversal…
Role reversal
The next year, Arsenal looked even less likely to win a trophy, whilst City ended their wait for a Premier League title.
In all, the Manchester club have won two league titles, one FA Cup, and two League Cups since that day in 2011. They’re easily top of the league this year, comfortable in their Champions League tie, and the favourites for the League Cup.
Arsenal have won three FA Cups, which is no mean feat, but they haven’t come close to a league title.
The only season they even finished in 2nd was in 2015/16, when they took Spurs’ place on the final day.
Now they’re sixth, and playing Europa League football, facing teams like Östersund whilst City challenge for Champions League glory.
It’s almost the complete reverse of seven years ago.
All Arsenal can hope for now is that this weekend’s final is a similar turning point. They won’t win the league this season, just as City failed to do in 2011, but there’s still time to get things back on track for next year.
That could start with a confidence building win on Sunday. Let’s hope they get it.