Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a remarkable tribute to Arsenal, describing them as "the best team in Europe and maybe the world" after his side secured their place in the Carabao Cup final against the Gunners.
City's Commanding Semi-Final Victory
Guardiola's comments came following Manchester City's comprehensive 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, which completed their semi-final triumph over holders Newcastle United. The Premier League champions had taken control of the tie with a 2-0 win at St James' Park in the first leg.
The decisive second leg saw City race into a commanding 3-0 lead within just 33 minutes, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice in quick succession before Tijjani Reijnders added a third goal. Newcastle managed a second-half consolation through Anthony Elanga, but the damage had already been done as City progressed 5-1 on aggregate.
Guardiola's Respect for Arsenal
Speaking after the match, Guardiola expressed his admiration for Arsenal, who secured their place in the final by beating London rivals Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate. The City boss insisted he was "looking forward" to facing his former assistant Mikel Arteta in a major final at Wembley on March 22.
"Hopefully, we arrive all good, all fit in March to compete against an exceptional, top-class team," Guardiola said. "It's a pleasure to play against Arsenal, the best team right now in Europe and maybe the world."
The City manager emphasised the importance of the Carabao Cup, recalling that it was the first trophy his team won at the club. "When you win something, it helps to win more," he added, highlighting the psychological boost that cup success can provide.
Arsenal's Quadruple Ambitions
Guardiola's praise comes as Arsenal continue their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple this season. The Gunners are currently leading the Premier League as they chase their first title since 2004, while also progressing in the Champions League following a flawless group stage campaign.
The Carabao Cup final represents a significant opportunity for both clubs, with Manchester City aiming to add another trophy to their collection and Arsenal seeking to maintain their momentum across multiple competitions.
City Players Echo Manager's Sentiments
Goalscorer Tijjani Reijnders joined his manager in praising Arsenal, describing the Gunners as "amazing" ahead of the Wembley showdown. "It will be a tough match, but we will be very hungry and we want to win this title," the midfielder said.
"They play amazing and they are a really balanced team. We have to analyse and see where we can gain our strength. I play football to win trophies. Now I am going to Wembley for the first time that will be amazing. We will do everything to win the Carabao Cup."
Analysis of Newcastle's Performance
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards provided analysis of the semi-final, praising his old club's "professional performance" while raising concerns about Newcastle's decline this season. Speaking on Sky Sports, Richards highlighted issues with Newcastle's attacking approach and questioned whether striker Nick Woltemade fits their system.
"I thought City were excellent in that first half in terms of dominating the game, scoring the goals and finishing Newcastle off," Richards said. "The big picture is that Newcastle aren't taking their chances. They need to figure out what they want to be."
The stage is now set for a fascinating Carabao Cup final between two of English football's strongest teams, with Guardiola's glowing assessment of Arsenal adding extra intrigue to what promises to be a compelling encounter at Wembley Stadium.
