Viktor Gyokeres and his team-mates missed their chance to end Arsenal's six-year trophy drought after losing the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City at Wembley
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal reacts after 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)
Arsenal's wait for silverware goes on(Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Viktor Gyokeres insists Arsenal will be even more “motivated” to win trophies after their Carabao Cup heartbreak. The Gunners could still be on course for a remarkable Treble as they are nine points clear in the title race and in the quarter finals of the FA Cup and Champions League.
But they were dealt a huge blow after losing the final to their main rival, Manchester City, who have overhauled them in the title race in two of the last three seasons. However, Gyokeres says Arsenal will have to come back stronger after the international break to stay on course to win their first Premier League crown in 22 years.
Gyokeres said: “Of course, we don't feel great right now but it's not like we have a game in three days, it's a few weeks or something until the next one. But, for sure, we will go again and be even more motivated for those games.”
Arsenal were without key players for the final with Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze missing through injury. Gunners captain Martin Odegaard hopes to be back after the international break while Timber is also optimistic he will not face a lengthy layoff.
However, Eze could be a big concern with a thigh injury which is set to keep him out of the England friendlies with Uruguay and Japan. But Gyokeres insists they have belief that whoever comes in will be able to step up and do a good job.
Gyokeres said: “The ones who played instead of those two did well. I think we have a great squad and of course it helps when you have everyone fit and yeah, that's what we want. They weren't available at Wembley and yeah, it is what it is.”
Sweden star Gyokeres admitted Arsenal lost the final because of small margins and also Manchester City putting their foot on the gas at the start of the second half. Arsenal’s best chances came early on but they failed to create much after the break to leave themselves now without a trophy in six years.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Dejection for Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Final match Arsenal and between Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Arsenal will be 'motivated' by the defeat, says Viktor Gyokeres(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Gyokeres added: “We created some chances at the beginning of the game then I think it was maybe 10 minutes from the break, where they got the momentum. I think they had the ball, maybe they didn't create so many dangerous chances but they had the ball a long time and it looked the same in the second half.
“It was close. Normally when it's two top teams it can be like that. In the moment of the game where they scored, yeah it was difficult to get going afterwards but yeah, it is what it is.”
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