Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about the potential impact on the Premier League title race after beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Ruben Dias, Rodri and Nathan Ake of Manchester City celebrate after winning the Carabao Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Ruben Dias, Rodri and Nathan Ake of Manchester City celebrate after winning the Carabao Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
View Image
Pep Guardiola believes the Carabao Cup win will give Manchester City an immediate boost - but isn't sure it will do anything for the Premier League title race. City ended Arsenal's hopes of winning an historic Quadruple but still face a daunting task to overhaul them in the Premier League.
Where the City manager does believe it will help is for their next game against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals. When they return after the international break, their next game sees Arne Slot's side at the Etihad to decide which team will head to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals.
Guardiola gives City more chance of winning that game after beating Arsenal at Wembley to win the first trophy of the season, but is still envious of the lead that Mikel Arteta's side have in the league. While City will give it their best shot, Guardiola suggested that it could motivate Arsenal when they come to the Etihad next month for what may be a title-deciding match.
HEREHERE.
"I would like to be nine points in front of Arsenal, but I don't know if I'd change a trophy to fight for the Premier League," he said. "I don't think it will have an impact, different competition and they will be more concerned when they come to the Etihad.
"That title will help us a lot for the [FA Cup] quarter-final against Liverpool at home with our people. Today all our side was fully Blue, I'm so happy being together and celebrating. Maybe it will help us for that game but the Premier League is in their hands, they punished us a lot.
"There were two periods: Sunderland away and Chelsea and Brighton at home, these three draws they punished us a lot in terms of points and the last ones against Nottingham Forest and West Ham. Maybe we will regret it until the end but we have one game in hand, we have Arsenal at home. Will that team drop points? We are going to try to win our games and we will see what happens."