Pep Guardiola has downplayed expectations ahead of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, insisting his side are not currently operating at the same level as their rivals.
City head into the Wembley clash on the back of a difficult run, with their Champions League exit to Real Madrid followed by dropped points in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola labels Arsenal ‘best team’ ahead of final
Guardiola made it clear that Arsenal will be favourites for Sunday’s final, pointing to their consistency across competitions this season.
“We will challenge against the best team in England so far, the best team in Europe,” he said.
The Gunners have built a strong lead in the Premier League and progressed confidently in the Champions League, placing them in a strong position heading into the final.
Manchester City form raises concerns before Wembley clash
Manchester City’s recent performances have been inconsistent, with draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham impacting their title challenge.
Their Champions League exit has added further pressure, raising the stakes for the Carabao Cup final.
Despite that, Guardiola remains calm about the situation.
“It’s not crucial, it’s a football game,” he said. “We are going to try to win with a good performance.”
Guardiola confident City can rise to challenge
While acknowledging Arsenal’s form, Guardiola believes his side still have the quality to compete at the highest level.
“We will challenge them and we have to see how we are competing against them,” he explained.
The City manager also pointed to the upcoming Premier League meeting between the two sides as another opportunity to measure progress.
“We are not complete” – Guardiola honest on City level
Guardiola admitted that Manchester City are still not where they want to be this season.
“Still we are not complete… we have to be more clinical,” he said.
However, he remains confident that improvements will come over time.
“My feeling is it is a question of time. It happened when I arrived here in my first season.”
Carabao Cup final seen as key test
The final offers City a chance to respond to recent setbacks and assess their level against one of Europe’s in-form teams.
Guardiola views the match as an opportunity rather than a defining moment.
“One football game is not the big happiness or the end of the world,” he added.
Key Insights
- Pep Guardiola has labelled Arsenal the best team in England and Europe.
- Manchester City are coming off a difficult run of results.
- The Carabao Cup final presents a key test for City.
- Guardiola admits his side are “not complete” this season.
- A Premier League clash between the teams will follow soon after.
What’s Next
Manchester City face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, with both sides looking to secure silverware at a crucial stage of the season.
The result could also set the tone for their upcoming Premier League encounter.
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