Wenger warns rivals over Carabao Cup criticism

Joe Williams

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger thinks all cups must be taken seriously and that no club should “sacrifice” any competition.

That comes after Pep Guardiola commented that the Carabao Cup was a “waste of energy” following his Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over West Brom in midweek.

While Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho – who guided his side into the next round by beating Burton 4-1 – reckons the competition is damaging the chances of English clubs in Europe.

And Wenger understands their viewpoint but has defended the competition: “You cannot sacrifice deliberately any competition with the pressure that every club is under now.

“You know that you could pay the price sometimes for it because you know that if you go further in the League Cup, at some stage you play in the semi-final – home and away in January.

“[So] you have the FA Cup, the Premier League and sometimes you lose players in these competitions.”