Mikel Arteta reveals message to Arsenal stars after Carabao Cup final heartbreak | OneFootball

Gunners boss issues new rallying cry after Manchester City inflict psychological blow with Wembley victory

Mikel Arteta has called on his Arsenal players to respond to their Carabao Cup final defeat with "the most amazing two months that we have ever had".

The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at Wembley, ending any talk of a potential quadruple and leaving Arteta's side with major questions to answer heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

City overpowered Arsenal in every department in the second half and deservedly claimed victory through a brace from Nico O'Reilly.

Arsenal now have an international break to reset before they return to action in the FA Cup and Champions League quarter-finals, while also attempting to ensure City do not get the better of them in the Premier League, too.

Asked what he told his players to try and minimise the damage of this result and performance, Arteta responded: "Well, especially to have some perspective on it and what this team has done in the last eight months has been incredible.

"We're going to use this disappointment and this fire in the belly to have the most amazing two months that we have ever had together.

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

Arsenal have a nine-point advantage over City in the title race, but they have played a game more and still have to travel to the Etihad Stadium next month.

That will be a significant test of the team's character, particularly after such a painful afternoon at Wembley.

Arteta dismissed the suggestion that Arsenal's campaign could be derailed by this defeat, pointing to the unbeaten runs that have followed each of their three losses so far this season.

"We played 50 games [this season] I think today," Arteta said.

"So every time you have a defeat or a draw, if that's the consequences, then you're not prepared to play 70 games because it's something that will happen at some point.

"So we haven't allowed that to happen, we have to prove it, we have to do it again.

"The good thing is that we have a very recent history, how this team has reacted in those moments and I'm sure that we're going to do it again."