Goals from City’s “old guard” Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva secured the silverware against a lacklustre Arsenal. And for City captain Kompany the result was even more special after enduring a number of injuries in recent seasons.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, Kompany said: “It was a difficult game, but as much space there was for us and Arsenal, we did well and controlled the space and I am proud of the team. Winning 3-0 at Wembley is a massive result against any opponent.
“Before the game, I thought I was going to score. I came close during the game so there was some luck on the day, but also self-belief. I have been in the game for 15 years and I have been training well and supporting the lads when I don’t play. When I get the call I want to do the job.”
Now with his first trophy as City boss, and 19th in total as a manager, Guardiola could potentially lead the Sky Blues to a treble this season. City have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals and are also 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
City’s Spanish boss said: “We’re so happy, and a big congratulations to all of Manchester City, and our fans. This trophy is for Manchester City and not for me. The first half we were not good, there were a lot of mistakes, in the second half we played with a lot more courage and personality - we were outstanding.”
While Guardiola, Kompany and the City fans celebrated with the trophy at Wembley, for Arsenal and boss Arsene Wenger it was another disappointing result in a league cup final.
Wenger has won seven FA Cups and three Premier League titles as Arsenal boss but the league cup still eludes him. Today was the Frenchman’s third defeat in league cup finals after losses against Chelsea in 2007 and Birmingham in 2011.
He was left to reflect on missed chances against City and also believed the second goal was offside. But Wenger did admit that City deserved the win.
“I felt the game, we had the first good chance, a very easy one that we missed,” said Wenger. “After that we made a big mistake for their first goal. But we controlled them pretty well in the first half, but they came out in the second half, and we were unlucky because the second goal was offside.
“But congratulations to Man City, they deserve the win. You have to accept being criticised when you lose games. But I believe we have to recover quickly. We got to the final, we lost, so now we have to focus on the next Premier League game.”
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