Pep Guardiola's unseen interaction with Rayan Cherki after showboating drama

A telling interaction between Pep Guardiola and Rayan Cherki has emerged after the latter was criticised for showboating during the Carabao Cup final.

One of the big talking points from Sunday's final between Arsenal and Manchester City was Guardiola's reaction when Cherki decided to give the Wembley crowd something to cheer, or jeer, about.

With nearly 30 minutes of the game still remaining, the Frenchman controlled a lofted pass from Rodri before performing three lackadaisical kick-ups.

Arsenal defender Ben White proceeded to clatter into Cherki for having the audacity to showboat, while on the Wembley touchline, a seething Pep Guardiola could be seen shaking his head in disappointment.

Many assumed Guardiola would be angry when he decided to replace Cherki with Phil Foden in the dying stages, but fan footage has emerged that shows the pair having a friendly exchange.

"Pep will bench Cherki next game."
"Pep will send Cherki to Saudi."

this is his SON lmaopic.twitter.com/SusrGxz8t9

— foland (fan) (@propsMCFC) March 22, 2026

One fan commented on the above clip, saying: "Pep low key loved it, he just thought it was too early," and another wrote: "This is so funny."

Gary Neville calls out Rayan Cherki for doing kick-ups in second-half

Sky Sports commentator and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was critical of Cherki's showboating, describing his decision to perform kick-ups as "arrogant".

"I don't think he likes that White, I think it's a bit too early for that if I am being honest," he said, after Ben White was booked for his challenge on the attacking midfielder.

"I think I might have done that myself and he (Pep) didn't like it either. Pep Guardiola is a professional, confident but not arrogant. That was a little bit arrogant from Cherki. He (Cherki) is smiling as well."

Neville added: "You have always got to remember that Arsenal can get a goal and you start to look silly if you are celebrating with 20-odd minutes to go. His team-mates will not think it's a great idea either."

Cherki was even called "disrespectful" by some sections of fans, although we argued that the modern game needs more moments like this.