Pep Guardiola makes title race claim after Man City dominate Arsenal in Carabao Cup final | OneFootball

Guardiola also hails ‘surprise’ impact of Nico O’Reilly this season after match-winning goals at Wembley

Pep Guardiola admitted that even he has been surprised by Nico O'Reilly this season, after he followed an England call-up with a match-winning display in the Carabao Cup final.

Guardiola hailed the "extraordinary" season O'Reilly is having, producing a run of performances that his manager did not necessarily expect.

"Wow," Guardiola said. "[He] started to play when Rayan Ait-Nouri was injured. [He] impressed a lot.

"In Newcastle, he played as the holding midfielder alongside Nico Gonzalez and was unbelievable against Joelinton, [Sandro] Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.

"[He] can play in the pocket. His natural position, every cross he's there. In the aerial actions he's really strong, especially offensive. Defensive, he has to improve.

"So happy so far. A surprise even for me. The season he's done has been extraordinary."

City ensured Arsenal will not complete a clean sweep of trophies this season and they will now hope to well and truly derail the Gunners' campaign.

Arsenal still hold a nine-point lead over City in the Premier League title race, but Guardiola's side have a game in hand - against Crystal Palace.

They will also host Arsenal next month in a match they will go into with renewed belief, even if Guardiola played down the potential knock-on effects of the Carabao Cup final.

"I would like to [be] nine points in front of Arsenal," Guardiola said. "But I don't know if we'd change that for the trophy, nine points to fight for the Premier League.

"I know it will have no impact. Different competitions. The Premier League is in their hands and they punish us a lot.

"There were two periods. We were incredible, top, top, top against Sunderland away. Magnificent game we played there. And Chelsea and Brighton at home. These three draws, they punish us a lot in terms of points.

"Nottingham Forest and West Ham the last ones. Maybe we will regret until the end.

"But we have one game in hand. We have Arsenal at home. We're going to try to win our games and we'll see what happens."