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Pep Guardiola makes huge Arsenal claim after Manchester City win Carabao Cup
Mar 22 2026 20:11 · By Louis Sealey · 12 Reads
Pep Guardiola after Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal (Picture: Sky Sports)
Pep Guardiola praised his Manchester City players for overcoming an Arsenal team that is ‘almost unbeatable’ in the Carabao Cup final.
Man City beat Premier League title rivals Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley to secure the first piece of silverware of the season.
After a cagey and goalless opening 45 minutes, two Nico O’Reilly goals in the space of four second-half minutes put Man City in control.
Arsenal were hoping to secure their first major trophy since 2020 but were unable to respond to O’Reilly’s quickfire brace.
Guardiola hailed Premier League leaders Arsenal as ‘almost unbeatable’ after the game and insists Man City are still not at their level despite lifting the Carabao Cup.
The City boss also declared Arsenal as one of the top-three teams in Europe alongside Champions League hopefuls Bayern Munich and Barcelona .
‘What can I say? Always, when you win a trophy it’s important,’ Guardiola said after winning his fifth Carabao Cup.
Nico O’Reilly starred in the Carabao Cup final (Picture: Getty)
‘But this was special because we’ve had a tough two weeks and especially because of the opponent. The first 15 minutes they suffocated us. We could not breathe.
‘After that, we started to play. I’m really pleased but Mikel has created a team that is almost unbeatable.
‘We are still not the team that Arsenal are or what we were in the past. We found a way to win titles.
Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s cup final defeat (Picture: Getty)
‘It means a lot. It’s always difficult to win trophies. Alongside Bayern Munich and maybe Barcelona, to face the best team in Europe.
‘They suffocated us for the first 15 minutes but after that we started to win a few more second balls.
‘We 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.’
On Man City’s hopes of catching Arsenal in the Premier League title race, Guardiola added: ‘I would love to have a nine-point lead, to be honest.