Manchester City rolled back the years on Sunday to win the first trophy of the Pep Guardiola era with three of their veteran players scoring in an emphatic 3-0 win against Arsenal at Wembley.
Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva were all on the scoresheet as City lifted the trophy for the fifth time -- only Liverpool have won it more.
It was an impressive statement of intent from Guardiola's men after a shock FA Cup defeat to lowly Wigan last week ended their bid for an unprecedented quadruple.
"It was a difficult game, but as much space there was for us and Arsenal, we did well and controlled the space and I am proud of the team," said Kompany. "Winning 3-0 at Wembley is a massive result against any opponent.
"Before the game, I thought I was going to score. I came close during the game so there was some luck on the day, but also self-belief."
City opened the scoring in the 18th minute when a long punt upfield from goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was controlled by Sergio Aguero, who coolly lifted the ball over a helpless David Ospina in the Arsenal goal.
Captain Kompany doubled the lead in the second half with just over half an hour to go and Silva put the game out of reach.
The runaway Premier League leaders will be hoping to use the victory as a springboard to greater glory as the season approaches its final stretch but defeat for Wenger means he has never lifted the League Cup.
On a bitterly cold, clear day in London, City, in their light blue kit, took control early, playing measured football and enjoying the lion's share of possession against a side who have made Wembley a second home in recent years.
It was Aguero who broke the deadlock, controlling the ball as Arsenal's defence failed to deal with the danger, silencing the boisterous Arsenal fans.
The Argentine striker has scored in each of his past five games in all competitions against Arsenal and this was his 199th goal in City colours. It was an unusual goal for Guardiola's team, who have been lauded for their silky passing game this season.
City made a bright start to the second half and captain Kompany was in the right place to steer home Ilkay Gundogan's shot from the edge of the box after a Kevin De Bruyne corner in the 58th minute.
Just seven minutes later Arsenal were left with a mountain to climb when Silva smashed the ball past Ospina into the far corner of the net to make it 3-0.
'THIS IS FOR CITY, NOT ME'
Guardiola insisted his first trophy in English football was due to the skill and dedication of his players rather than his coaching magic touch.
"It's important. We're so happy, and a big congratulations to all of Manchester City, and our fans. This trophy is for Manchester City and not for me," Guardiola told Sky Sports.
"The first half we were not good, there were a lot of mistakes, in the second half we played with a lot more courage and personality -- we were outstanding."
For Arsenal, it was a poor afternoon with fans leaving Wembley in their droves after Silva added the third goal in the 65th minute.
"Arsenal were an absolute disgrace," former Manchester United star Gary Neville said on Sky Sports as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger came under renewed pressure.
"You have to accept being criticised when you lose games," Wenger said.
"But I believe we have to recover quickly. We got to the final, we lost, so now we have to focus on the next Premier League game."
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