Premier League title race: Will Man City’s win against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final have an impact?

Manchester City were 2-0 winners against Arsenal in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final – but will the result have an impact on the Premier League title race?

The Gunners are currently nine points clear at the top of the league over Pep Guardiola’s side, but were soundly beaten in the showpiece match at Wembley.

It saw Guardiola win his fifth League Cup title – the most by any manager – as Arsenal’s hopes of a quadruple came to a screeching halt.

The two sides meet again on Sunday April 19, live on Sky Sports, in a game which could provide pivotal in the Premier League title race. Manchester City have a game in hand, as well as facing Arsenal at home next month.

But will the final have any bearing on that game, or where the Premier League trophy ends up in May? Pundits, managers and players weighed in…

The pundits: ‘It changes the complexion of the season’

The Carabao Cup final has altered the complexion of this season’s title race, says Jamie Redknapp.

“When Liverpool lost here against Newcastle last year, there were 12 points in it,” he told Sky Sports. “That’s a massive buffer and the other teams didn’t have a game in hand.

“For Arsenal, the doubts, the negativity, this changes the whole complexion of the title race. I’m not saying it puts Manchester City completely back in it, but it gives them a massive opportunity when they play in April.”

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright added that, despite a nine-point gap, that can quickly be cut down to make for a nervy end to the season.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s nine points, but Manchester City have a game in hand and they’ve got to play them, so it can go down to three.

“All of a sudden, the pressure really turns up. Make no mistake, this nine points is a tight nine points.

“Arsenal really need to refocus and get themselves back on track for what they want to do. They need to win games now.

“People talk about how they win games, ‘oh it’s set pieces’ – it doesn’t matter, everyone knows that. We’ve got a DNA of winning games resiliently. They’ve got to kick into this because this team [Manchester City] know it’s not over.

“These are all the things that Arsenal have to deal with. This is what it’s about. Arsenal are a club that have been trying to do it for 20-odd years. We need to do it. It’s the fourth time of trying.

“It’s tough, it’s not going to be easy. Let’s make sure we stay behind the guys because this is the time where they need us the most.”

The managers: ‘I’d love to be nine points clear!’

Despite winning another Carabao Cup title, Guardiola admitted he would rather be in Arsenal’s position at the top of the Premier League.

The final win followed a difficult few games for Manchester City. They dropped points against West Ham in the league last weekend, coming in the middle of their Champions League exit to Real Madrid.

“I would love to be nine points in front to be honest,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s in their hands. I, personally, need an incredible break. I’m exhausted. And after, we’ll see step by step.

“[Against] Nottingham [Forest] and West Ham, the dropped points there punished us a lot. But one game in hand, they come to our stadium with our people – we will try.”

Arteta says he wants his players to use the defeat to fuel the remainder of their season as they once again bid for their first Premier League title since 2003/04.

“I want the players to have some perspective,” he said. “What this team has done in the last eight months is incredible, and we’re going to use the disappointment and the fire in the belly to have the most amazing two months we ever have had together.

“That’s on us, we’ll manage that energy in the right way. Now we have to go through that pain and disappointment, that’s normal and it’s part of football.”

The players: ‘A massive boost for the title race’

Both Antoine Semenyo and Nathan Ake believe the Carabao Cup win can give Manchester City’s confidence a lift as they head into the final few Premier League games of the season.

Semenyo – winning his first title with Manchester City after his January move – told Sky Sports: “I think it gives us a boost. It gives us confidence after the international break to catch up.

“We don’t want to say too much because momentum can swing very quickly. We just have to do our jobs leading up to that game and potentially finish the job.”

Ake added: “It’s very special. We didn’t win anything last season and I think this is the perfect way to do it this season, against title contenders.

“We are expected to win things. We expect that from ourselves. Last year was disappointing so this year we wanted to do well. If you are here you want to win it.

“It’s a massive boost [for the title fight]. After the international break we come back and go again. We are going to give everything.”