**_LONDON_**: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was cast into depression by both the League Cup Final defeat and the performance of his team in the 2-0 Wembley defeat.
Arteta said: “Painful, especially for our players and supporters because we really wanted to lift that trophy today. It was two very different halves, especially the first half when I think we were better than them and had the best two chances of the game. We didn’t capitalise on that. Credit to them for what we have done. A really sad day.”
Asked about starting Kepa in goal, Arteta added: “I made a decision before the game based on what he has done all season, the fact he has played in the competition and helped us be where we are today. It would have been very unfair to choose a different one.”
City’s Pep Guardiola, the first manager to win this trophy five times, said: “Whenever you win a trophy is important. It was special because we had a tough two weeks. I’m really pleased because Mikel created a team that is almost unbeatable. A fifth League Cup in 10 years is not bad.
“Today in modern football everyone is so competitive and difficult. I think we learn for the future and hopefully next season we can do better.”
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