{"id":2173,"date":"2026-03-22T21:25:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T21:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=2173"},"modified":"2026-03-22T21:25:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T21:25:00","slug":"pep-guardiola-makes-huge-arsenal-claim-after-man-city-win-carabao-cup-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=2173","title":{"rendered":"Pep Guardiola makes huge Arsenal claim after Man City win Carabao Cup | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Pep Guardiola after Manchester City\u2019s victory over Arsenal (Picture: Sky Sports)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pep Guardiola praised his Manchester City players for overcoming an Arsenal team that is \u2018almost unbeatable\u2019 in the Carabao Cup final.<\/p>\n

Man City beat Premier League title rivals Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley to secure the first piece of silverware of the season.<\/p>\n

After a cagey and goalless opening 45 minutes, two Nico O\u2019Reilly goals in the space of four second-half minutes put Man City in control.<\/p>\n

Arsenal were hoping to secure their first major trophy since 2020 but were unable to respond to O\u2019Reilly\u2019s quickfire brace.<\/p>\n

Guardiola hailed Premier League leaders Arsenal as \u2018almost unbeatable\u2019 after the game and insists Man City are still not at their level despite lifting the Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n

The City boss also declared Arsenal as one of the top-three teams in Europe alongside Champions League hopefuls Bayern Munich and Barcelona.<\/p>\n

\u2018What can I say? Always, when you win a trophy it\u2019s important,\u2019 Guardiola said after winning his fifth Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n

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Nico O\u2019Reilly starred in the Carabao Cup final (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018But this was special because we\u2019ve had a tough two weeks and especially because of the opponent. The first 15 minutes they suffocated us. We could not breathe.<\/p>\n

\u2018After that, we started to play. I\u2019m really pleased but Mikel has created a team that is almost unbeatable.<\/p>\n

\u2018We are still not the team that Arsenal are or what we were in the past. We found a way to win titles.<\/p>\n

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Mikel Arteta after Arsenal\u2019s cup final defeat (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018It means a lot.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0always difficult to win trophies. Alongside Bayern Munich and maybe Barcelona, to face the best team in Europe.<\/p>\n

\u2018They suffocated us for the first 15 minutes but after that we started to win a few more second balls.<\/p>\n

\u2018We won an incredible victory. The Carabao Cup is not the Premier League or the Champions League but a win against that team makes it a special title.\u2019<\/p>\n

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On Man City\u2019s hopes of catching Arsenal in the Premier League title race, Guardiola added: \u2018I would love to have a nine-point lead, to be honest.<\/p>\n

\u2018It is in their hands,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0dropped points and that punishes us a\u00a0lot\u00a0but we will try, will we try.\u2019<\/p>\n

While Arsenal missed out on a first major trophy since 2020, they remain in the driving seat to win their first Premier League title in 22 years, boasting a nine-point lead over second-placed Man City.<\/p>\n

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“Wrighty, you were so upbeat before!””Sky are pulling out all these figures to show how Arsenal can’t do it!” Ian Wright didn’t like seeing that graphic 😅 pic.twitter.com\/kBvMYbNNfJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 22, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

Discussing the title race after the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal legend Ian Wright said: \u2018It\u2019s nine points, but Man City have a game in hand and they\u2019ve got to play them, so it can go down to three.<\/p>\n

\u2018All of a sudden, the pressure really turns up. Make no mistake, this nine points is a tight nine points.<\/p>\n

\u2018Arsenal really need to refocus and get themselves back on track for what they want to do. They need to win games now.<\/p>\n

\u2018People talk about how they win games \u2018oh it\u2019s set pieces\u2019 \u2013 it doesn\u2019t matter, everyone knows that. We\u2019ve got a DNA of winning games resiliently.<\/p>\n

\u2018They\u2019ve got to kick into this because this team know it\u2019s not over.\u2019<\/p>\n

Arsenal return to Premier League action following the international break against Bournemouth, while Manchester City\u2019s next league game is against Chelsea.<\/p>\n

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Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Ian Wright questions Arsenal star who \u2018couldn\u2019t hold onto the ball\u2019 against Man City<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Jamie Redknapp slams Mikel Arteta for \u2018monumental error\u2019 in Carabao Cup final<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Gary Neville makes Premier League title claim after Arsenal\u2019s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City<\/span><\/p>\n
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