Pep Guardiola won his 40th title as a coach after winning the Carabao Cup against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, whom they beat 2-0 in the final at Wembley thanks to a brace from Nico O'Reilly. "I didn't give a single penny to today's victory. We couldn't win against Nottingham Forest at home or against West Ham away (in the Premier League), we lost 5-1 on aggregate against Real Madrid (in the last 16 of the Champions League).

I didn't give a single penny to today's victory either

Pep Guardiola

But the players show once again -- the veterans and especially the newcomers -- that when something needs to be done during a season in which we have not been consistent, today we did it," said the Spanish coach after the victory.

I think it's true what I said in the previous days: the team has been below (the maximum level), but I have a feeling that it can shine...

Pep Guardiola

"I think it's true what I said in the previous days: the team has been below (the top level), but I have a feeling that it can shine... The Carabao Cup is not the Champions League or the Premier League, but beating that team (Arsenal) makes the title special. A fifth Carabao Cup in 10 years is not bad at all. Every time you win a title it seems more difficult than before. It's really difficult for many reasons," he said.

Pep in Awe of His Team 🧠🔵

Guardiola after the win:

“We have to be proud of this level and this victory.
We beat one of the best teams in Europe — alongside Bayern and maybe Barcelona.”

He made it clear the Carabao Cup isn’t the league or UCL… but beating Arsenal like this… pic.twitter.com/I0m2Z4PSJQ

— Pitch Wire (@wire_pitch) March 22, 2026

Pep Guardiola: "Arsenal are the best team in Europe, along with Bayern Munich and Barcelona"

"We don't shy away from the challenge, that's what sport is like. They (Arsenal) are, along with Bayern Munich, and maybe Barcelona, the best team in Europe," said the Manchester City manager, leaving Real Madrid out of the top three teams in Europe.