Pep Guardiola dismisses claims that EFL Cup success will lead to era of Manchester City dominance

Pep Guardiola's first trophy with Barcelona began a golden period for the Catalan club

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has played down suggestions that victory over Arsenal in Sunday’s EFL Cup final will usher in an era of dominance for the club.

Guardiola could win the first trophy of his City tenure against the Gunners at Wembley having failed to bring silverware to the Etihad Stadium in 2016-17 season, his first in English football.

His first trophy as Barcelona manager – a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey in May 2009 – began a golden period for the Catalan club.

However, the 47-year-old said “no” when asked if there was a comparison between the two situations.

“The same thing was asked in the beginning of the season, did you expect to fight until three days ago in four competitions,” Guardiola said. “I said no. Not even in Barcelona when we won the first title in the cup did I expect to win 14 titles in four years. I’m more pragmatic.

“I think in football it's a big mistake to think what might happen in the next three years. It’s a big mistake for our heads, our targets - it makes no sense. “When people asked in the beginning, about winning four titles, I said of course we'll try, but the big teams have not been able to do that - the big Liverpools, the big Uniteds, the big Arsenals, the big Chelseas.

“So why should I think we can do it? We have a final and we try to do what we have done. Then after in the Premier League we have six games to be champions in the most prestigious tournament in this country. Then we'll see next year. Then at the end of our time together we will see what we have done.”

City have a 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League table and have caught the eye this season with their breathless attacking play.

Although Guardiola acknowledged that simply playing beautiful football is not enough and he will be judged on silverware.

He continued: “We have to lift titles to give more value to what we have done. In the beginning, in August, we said the same that we would be judged on how many titles we win. In the five or six big clubs, it’s always the same, how many titles do you win? But at the same time, these eight months together we have lived together, that belongs to us.

“Every game we played, and when we won, we were happy the day after. Of course, we'll be judged on this and for the club it is so important because it is a club that needs to grow up, grow up, and win titles and hopefully on Sunday, we’ll have the first one.”

City’s bid to win an unprecedented quadruple was ended on Monday as they suffered a shock defeat to League One Wigan Athletic in the fifth round of the FA Cup. However, Guardiola does not believe there will be a hangover from that heading into the game against Arsene Wenger’s side.

“In the Wigan game we conceded two shots - one on target - created 24, even with 10 we did everything,” Guardiola added. “I was delighted with the performance, but in football you can make a mistake.

"We are going to try and maintain our level, but a final is completely different. It’s how clinical you are how tough in the boxes, finals are different - it’s not what you have done in the past. but we look to make a good performance and win the game.”