Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he wanted his side's chastening 2-0 League Cup final loss to Manchester City to fuel the fire in the belly of his players, who remain in the hunt for three major trophies this season.

Premier League leader Arsenal arrived as favorite on Sunday to win its first trophy since 2020, but was steamrolled by a dominant City, which won the competition for the ninth time.

The London side's lackluster showing will inevitably raise concerns among the club's fans at a crucial stage of the season, as it chases a first Premier League title since 2004 and challenges for both the Champions League and FA Cup.

Arteta said that his players would have to prove that they can overcome what he acknowledged was a painful and disappointing setback.

"What this team has done in the last eight months has been incredible, and we're going to use this disappointment, and use this fire in the belly, to have the most amazing two months that we have ever had together," he told reporters.

It was only the second defeat in all competitions this year for Arsenal and follows four straight wins in the Premier League.

Two of those, however, have been secured by single-goal margins with another against Everton requiring two last-gasp scores.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright described the loss on Sky Sports as "a really poor performance".

Arteta said his side would have to examine what exactly went wrong, acknowledging that City was sharper in every department, with the exception of the first 15 minutes.

While City's first goal came after a rising cross slipped through the fingers of Arsenal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Gunners fans were left bewildered by their side's repeated holding of possession in its own box, seemingly waiting for City players to commit themselves.

When they didn't, Arsenal often resorted to playing a long ball forward, which City was able to pounce on.

"There will be a lot of aspects that we will discuss and that we have to reflect on when things cool down a little bit," Arteta said.

Asked whether the season could potentially spiral following the defeat, he replied that Arsenal had not allowed that to happen after previous losses and would not do so now.

"The good thing is that we have a very recent history showing how this team reacted in those moments, and I'm sure that we are going to do it again."

Reuters