(Credit: Imago, talkSPORT)

Evan Shaw

Mon 23 March 2026 9:30, UK

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Manchester City attacker Rayan Cherki has been at the centre of attention on social media after his team’s Carabao Cup triumph on Sunday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s side beat Arsenal 2-0 to lift the first major trophy of the season under the Wembley arch, as a Nico O’Reilly brace proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Cherki was one of a number of the Citizens’ creative players who flourished in the final, and he has also provided one of the game’s biggest talking points after the final whistle.

The Frenchman received a pass close to the touchline and juggled the ball a few times during the game, with the clip of his moment of showboating going viral on X.

Manchester City’s latest victory was a huge statement of their intent for the remainder of the campaign, as they turned in a convincing display to down the Premier League leaders.

Alan Pardew outraged by Rayan Cherki showboating

Cherki only made the move to the Etihad Stadium in the summer, but the former Lyon man has quickly settled in and begun to wow fans during the early stages of his time in the Premier League.

O’Reilly’s first goal came as a result of an error from Kepa Arrizabalaga following Cherki’s cross, and the wideman remained a thorn in the side of his opponents throughout the 90 minutes.

However, for all his positive play during the game, discussions surrounding Cherki have been dominated by his moment of showboating in the aftermath of the game.

The youngster was on the receiving end of a late challenge from Arsenal defender Ben White the next time he got on the ball, and Alan Pardew was keen to stress that his juggling would have been seen as hugely disrespectful by the Gunners’ players.

“He (Cherki) has been a bit naive and a bit young,” the former Newcastle and West Ham boss said on talkSPORT.

“Juggling the ball like that is an insult in the professional game. If you’re a pro footballer, that is a no-go. It’s unnecessary; he didn’t need to do it.

“It was exuberant, but he was having a really game, actually. I thought he was terrific.”

Pep Guardiola faces questions over use of Cherki

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that he is “confused” by Guardiola’s use of Cherki this season, as the starlet has regularly been in and out of the starting XI.

The former recruitment boss insisted that the forward is “very highly regarded” behind the scenes at the Etihad Stadium, but added that fans have been questioning why he cannot secure a regular starting spot.

Guardiola’s strategy when it comes to rotating his squad and trying to keep all of his players fresh has faced plenty of scrutiny in recent seasons, with many feeling that it has been their downfall when it comes to keeping pace with Arsenal this term.

Cherki is the prime example of that, as he is a supremely talented footballer, but has only managed 14 starts in the league since the beginning of the campaign.