Shedding the bottle 

Much of what has been thrown at Arsenal since Sunday's defeat is how they now react to a defeat. 

True, most Gunners fans would take a loss in the final if they go on to win the championship, but this club needs a trophy and needs it now to show they do indeed have that winning mentality. 

For the past several years, the club have been labelled as 'bottle jobs' and 'chokers' thanks to repeated meltdowns in title races, just when the pressure ramped up, while their trophy drought goes back to 2020 when they won the FA Cup, and hadn't been back to a final until Sunday's showpiece. 

That mentality looks to have changed this season. Efficient if not entertaining in the Premier League, they have led the way for the majority of the campaign and are yet to lose a single game in the Champions League. 
 

Yet, with the first sign of getting that piece of silverware and the pressure mounting, Mikel Arteta's side has once again failed to deliver. 

Their performance at Wembley was abject. Not at any point did Arsenal look like they were in the game, nor had the tools to hurt City and finally land a trophy the club and its fans so desperately crave. 

The task is now to show that they've learned a harsh lesson at the worst time. Show that the cup final defeat was a final learning curve on what this club needs to do to get over the line and show they have the mental strength to win a first title for two decades, and prove this is a team of winners. 

Because if not, guess who's coming for them. 

 

City rising 

If Sunday proved anything, it's that even in a season when City haven't been at their best and as they almost transition into the next era, Pep Guardiola can still get the job done. 

The Spanish boss notched a record fifth League Cup gong, thanks to leading his side to a dominant and professional performance to not only beat the league leaders, but send a title message. 

Yes, they were helped on their way by a goalkeeping error, but for most parts, there only looked like one team in the game. 

The celebrations have been criticised for being over the top, but this is a manager who lives for winning and has shown time and time again how to do it. Now he's honing in on another triumph and hunting down Arsenal and ceasing on any weakness their cup win has created. 

City know how to be relentless, and relentless is what they'll now be expected to be for the remainder of the campaign. This may not be Pep's greatest creation, but the boost and belief the cup win will give them means they'll know they have a psychological advantage going into the final eight games. 

Nine points is a big ask, but not one that will faze the manager, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see another trophy lifted from the club before the end of the season. 

The run-in 

All eyes will now be on the final fixtures, with many playing the prediction game and seeing what danger there really is for Arsenal and if City have enough to claw the points back. 

The Gunners host Bournemouth when the Premier League resumes next month, a team currently on the top flight's longest unbeaten streak, while City visit Stamford Bridge, where right now anything could happen.

Following those games, the teams once again lock horns at The Etihad, which will be the game that always decides the destination of the title. 

If Arsenal can find that mentality and win in Manchester, it's surely game over for their title rivals, but a home victory will see City close to, at worst, within six points of the leaders. 

Then, it's very much game on and down to whether the North Londoners can finally show their mettle or Pep can ruin his apprentice's plan and rule once again. 

 

How to watch the Premier League in Canada

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