Not only are the Blues vying to beat the Gunners on Sunday in the 16:30 (UK) showpiece, we are also looking to chase down Mikel Arteta’s men in the top-flight battle for honours.
City are nine points behind the Londoners but have a game in hand as we enter the business end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Success at Wembley would help mood and morale, admits Guardiola, but won’t necessarily change fortunes in the cut-and-thrust of league action.
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The boss is more concerned in his team reacting proactively and positively to either victory or defeat this weekend.
“Of course winning helps but we can win the competition on Sunday then after in the league we are bad and go into the opposite,” the boss told media at his Carabao Cup final press conference.
“I learned that in many competitions and games in a short time of recovery, a mix of Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Premier League, you have to have the ability to forget and move forward in the good and bad moments.
“Learnings for that, what you have to do better, this is what we have to do.”
Watch the manager’s briefing in full above.
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