Guardiola's Dance Of Joy As Man City Pile Pressure On Desolate Arsenal

The first 45 minutes was nan epitome of 2 teams cancelling each different retired - but erstwhile nan 2nd half began nan scenery was group for City's win.

They were nan much progressive, fierce side. Their attacking intent started to overwhelm Arsenal, nan unit became intolerable to resist. Smoother connected nan shot and much cohesive than an Arsenal broadside based connected organisation, nan postulation only flowed 1 way.

Arrizabalaga already had Arsenal's nerves connected separator pinch an injudicious dash from extremity which resulted successful a yellowish paper for a panicked foul connected Jeremy Doku.

Much, overmuch worse was to travel for Arsenal and their goalkeeper.

It remains six years since Arteta won his 1 and only trophy arsenic Arsenal manager, and nan measurement successful which his squad went into their ammunition present will beryllium a interest that he must dream is not repeated arsenic nan unit mounts successful nan closing weeks of nan season.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart told BBC Sport: "Manchester City played to win. I deliberation that's what they're bred to do complete ten, 15 years. I deliberation now they're very overmuch bred to win. I deliberation they've been really disappointed pinch nan FA Cup last astatine nan extremity of past play [when they mislaid to Crystal Palace].

"A batch will beryllium publication into it putting a marker down aliases whatever, but I don't deliberation so. I deliberation it was conscionable astir Manchester City winning trophies, which is what they've done truthful regularly precocious - and this is different large one.

"It is besides a immense time for Pep Guardiola, who's won everything, but now stands unsocial successful position of managers winning nan League Cup. He's won it 5 times, going 1 clear of Sir Alex Ferguson. How overmuch of a testament is that to his ability, his typical touch and what he's done complete nan years pinch Manchester City?"

Arteta is braced for nan conflict to retrieve from this setback and attraction connected 3 trophies, saying: "We had 8 astonishing months pinch this team. Today is simply a disappointment. We request to usage that occurrence successful nan belly for nan adjacent 2 months to person an unthinkable season."

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's painful, particularly for our players and supporters, because we really wanted to assistance that trophy. It was 2 very different halves, particularly nan first half erstwhile I deliberation we were amended than them and had nan champion 2 chances of nan game.

"We didn't capitalise connected that. Credit to them for what they person done. A really sad day."

He must dream it is nan past sad time of what has been an outstanding play truthful acold - for Guardiola, he will dream City's win, and nan mode successful which it was achieved, will play connected Arsenal's nerves.