Pep Guardiola reacts to EFL decision on Marc Guehi facing Arsenal in Carabao Cup Final | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a response to news of the EFL standing firm on their rules surrounding Marc Guehi and the Carabao Cup Final.

The decision, confirmed in the days following City’s progression to the final, ensures the England international will remain unavailable for the Wembley showdown against Arsenal, despite public discussion and appeals surrounding his eligibility.

Guardiola has since faced questions on the matter while preparing his side for a crucial Premier League clash away to Liverpool at Anfield, with the City boss keen to separate short-term frustration from his longer-term view of the squad.

Manchester City’s route to the Carabao Cup Final has been one of the defining positives of their season so far, culminating in a dominant semi-final victory over reigning holders Newcastle United.

That success has set up a high-profile meeting with Arsenal, adding further narrative weight to selection issues and squad availability heading into one of the club’s most important fixtures of the campaign.

The situation surrounding Marc Guehi has drawn comparisons with Antoine Semenyo, whose eligibility contrasts with that of the former Palace defender having joined prior to the semi-final first-leg and thus being eligible for the remainder of the competition since that point.

Now, offering further thoughts on Guehi’s ineligibility to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup Final off the back of his public plea on Wednesday night, Guardiola has ultimately admitted defeat on the matter.

“I know the rules are the rules, and I understand. I’ll say the same: I don’t understand why Antoine [Semenyo] can play, and Marc doesn’t. There’s a rule, it’s OK. We can agree and disagree, that is not the point,” said Guardiola. “We’ll play another one.”

Offering his more wider thoughts on the England international, Guardiola said, “Playing good or bad, I don’t care. He’s a great, great, great – you smell it – signing for Manchester City for the next five, six, seven, eight years. Top, top.

“It’s not [just] the skills, it’s the mentality, professionalism, how he lives many, many things to be a good, good central defender.”

Pep Guardiola’s praise underlines the club’s long-term view of Marc Guehi, reinforcing previous reports that Manchester City see the defender as a cornerstone of their back line for years to come. Internally, the focus remains on integrating him fully into Guardiola’s defensive structure.

Attention will soon turn to how City adapt tactically at Wembley, with other centre-backs to step in against an Arsenal side currently leading the Premier League. The final also arrives amid a congested run of fixtures, heightening the importance of squad depth and flexibility.