Bernardo, Fernandinho and Ederson on the importance of 2018 Carabao Cup success | OneFootball

Eight years ago, City beat Arsenal in the final of the Carabao Cup to lift the first trophy of Pep Guardiola’s tenure.

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We were spectacular that day, with Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva scoring the goals in a dominant performance.

Since then, the Blues have lifted a further 17 major honours and been one of the best sides ever seen in English football.

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It wasn’t just the start for Guardiola in England, with several key figures over the following years also earning their maiden winner’s medal at City.

Amongst them were Ederson, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Kyle Walker - the backbone of sides that have broken records aplenty as Centurions, Fourmidables, Treble winners and four-in-a-row Premier League champions.

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Reflecting on that day, Bernardo Silva, now club captain, insists it was pivotal in terms of setting the standards for what was to come.

“It was very important,” he began.

“The first one is always vital emotionally and to try to create that atmosphere and that feeling that winning is important and it needs to be a part of our journey.

“It gave us the confidence to then go after the other ones, including the Premier League that season. The first title is always so important in any player’s career.

“It was a young team. The quality was unbelievable but we also had experienced guys like Vinny, Aguero, David Silva that had won trophies in England before and knew what it took to win titles.

“With a young team, when you win once it’s always easier to win more and more and more.”

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Fernandinho was deep into his fifth season at City at the time and had already won the Premier League and League Cup under Manuel Pellegrini.

However, he was well aware of this team’s potential and knew that a Wembley victory could unlock plenty more riches down the line.

“It was so exciting. That was a really nice time,” he said.

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“After the first season with Pep where we struggled a little bit, we really clicked and there were some unbelievable performances across the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

“That final proved just how good we were, beating a side like Arsenal 3-0 with major superiority. It was really nice and gave us extra energy to finish that season.

“When I joined City, there was a lot of talk in England that the League Cup wasn’t that important but when you win it’s really important.

“At that stage of the season, you are fighting for so many things and you might need that extra energy and belief to keep going into the final few months.”

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Ederson, who was in his first season in England and already revolutionising the way teams would build from the back for years to come, agrees with his former team-mate.

As first-choice goalkeeper, he didn’t actually take to the pitch in the Carabao Cup but was a key driver in maintaining standards across all competitions.

“That final was very special for all of us,” he stated.

“It was my first trophy in England and also an important moment for the club. When we beat Arsenal at Wembley, we felt that was only the beginning.

“The group realised we had quality, mentality, and a coach who knew the path to winning.

“From that moment, a huge hunger was created to keep winning. The first title always changes something inside the dressing room, it makes you believe it’s possible to achieve much more.”

The Brazilian left City for Turkish side Fenerbahce last summer after eight glittering years at the Etihad Stadium.

Throughout his time in Manchester, he was central to Guardiola’s footballing philosophy.

While many consider that to be about beautiful football, the Catalan also demands a relentless hunger for success.

Ederson says that final told everyone in the squad there was plenty more silverware to be had if we worked for it.

“That game was important because it showed the team’s collective strength. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about the way we won,” he said.

“We controlled the match, played with personality, and showed the identity of our football.

“For a young group, moments like that give you a lot of confidence. When you win a final at Wembley playing well, it stays with the group.

“That’s when we started to feel we could compete for every trophy and build something truly special.”

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City’s achievements in the Premier League in particular would define the most dominant era the game in this country has ever seen, winning six of the next seven titles.

However, a foundation was laid with the Carabao Cup, which we claimed four times in a row between 2018 and 2021.

Ederson says the boss’ message to his players was always clear, even if the No.31 wasn’t taking to the pitch himself.

“Pep always said every competition matters.

“He said winning builds a winning mentality. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Carabao Cup, the league, or the Champions League, we were there to win.

“This was an opportunity to keep building the club’s winning culture and I think that became clear when we managed to win it four times in a row.”

This weekend, we again face Arsenal under Wembley’s arch for the same trophy with a new, fresh squad seeking to forge their own legacy in the game.

Bernardo, Foden and Stones are the only survivors of that squad that remain available to Pep today, while other natural leaders have since come into the group and been pivotal in sustaining success.

However, the last three transfer windows in particular have seen an influx of young, hungry talent supplemented by the likes of Nico O’Reilly breaking through from youth football.

After all that change, City remain in the hunt for English football’s three biggest prizes as the campaign approaches its final straight.

Having won the League Cup six times, Fernandinho is well aware of what success here can do for morale as the finish line nears.

“After a day like that, the most important thing is going back with the sensation of winning a trophy, knowing what it takes and what it feels like, it can unlock something,” he said.

“For those young players in 2018, it was really important to win their first trophy because the second one felt easier and within reach.

“I was so happy for them but it was also the time to push them as well.”

Club captain Bernardo is clear about what victory could do for the mindset of the current squad.

“It’s an important trophy itself and a special day if you win,” he started.

“But winning could also help to release any of the tension in other competitions for the rest of the season so we’re going to try and do our best to bring that title home.”