Despite Marc Guehi’s ineligibility for the Wembley match, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will request permission from the Football League to use the England defender un the League Cup final against Arsenal.
Guehi, who joined from Crystal Palace in January, was compelled to watch from the sidelines on Wednesday as City defeated Newcastle 3-1 in the second leg of the semi-final.
Guehi is presently prohibited from playing in the showpiece, but City’s 5-1 aggregate triumph secured a matchup with Premier League leaders Arsenal in the final on March 22.
Guehi is not allowed to participate in the League Cup this season because he signed after the first leg against Newcastle, unlike Antoine Semenyo, who also moved to City from Bournemouth in January.
Guardiola admitted that he did not think City’s appeal would be successful.
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However, the Spaniard intends to argue for Guehi’s inclusion despite his team’s defensive problems this season and the danger posed by Arsenal.
Why shouldn’t he participate? Why not? Guardiola stated. “We hired him, we pay his wage, and he is our player.
“We would want to inquire. I told the club that we must absolutely inquire. He has been here for a long time, therefore I don’t understand why he can’t participate in the League Cup final in March.
It makes perfect sense, so of course we will inquire. However, there is no way to alter the rule. However, we’ll try.
Before Tijjani Reijnders scored the third goal prior to halftime, Omar Marmoush, an Egyptian forward, scored the first two goals for City.
After City had slowed down, Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga responded in the 62nd minute.
In an attempt to win the League Cup for the fifth time under Guardiola, City is back in the final for the first time since 2021.
After a painful 2-2 draw at Tottenham last weekend, City was six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. Guardiola was relieved to see City make it to Wembley.
Guardiola remarked, “I do not take it for granted.” “I understand how challenging it is.
“I’m not sure how many FA Cup semifinals and finals we’ve played in, but it’s really good. In ten years, we’ve made five League Cup finals, so it’s really good: top, top, top.”
After Erling Haaland was demoted to a substitute duty due to the Norway striker’s poor recent performance, Marmoush seized his opportunity to make an impression against the Magpies.
Regarding the Egyptian, Guardiola remarked, “He gives us a special quality.” “His work ethic, his pace, and his moments in behind.”
After two clumsy performances over the two legs that infuriated manager Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s tenure as League Cup winners is over.
Howe remarked, “Really irritated with the first half display.” We take great satisfaction in our ability to be well-organized and tactically capable of handling whatever challenge the enemy presents.
“We had a lot of issues in the first half because we weren’t good enough individually and our duels weren’t good.”
