Aymeric Laporte: 'EFL Cup win would be a step forward'

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has said that he is focused on taking a "big step forward" by winning the EFL Cup on Sunday.

The Frenchman could feature in the final in what would be his fourth outing for Guardiola's side, after joining from Athletic Bilbao for a club-record £57m fee.

The centre-back, who was also involved in City's FA Cup exit to Wigan Athletic earlier this month, has vowed to earn his first piece of silverware on Sunday with victory over Arsenal at Wembley.

"We had a very bad night though people tell me we have this terrible record against Wigan," Laporte told the Daily Mail. "We knew it was going to be difficult and obviously we had a man sent off in the first half.

"Right now the important thing is what is ahead of us - a cup final. Winning would be a great step forward and that first trophy would definitely help the development of the team. It's clear that winning trophies increases confidence.

"I've already learned a lot from [Pep Guardiola]. He is such an influential figure in football. I also looked at the City team. There are so many young players at a similar age to myself. That was a major factor in my thinking [in joining the club]."

Guardiola has confirmed that Claudio Bravo will begin in goal for the final, while also revealing that Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus could play a part.