‘We'll make a letter’ - Guardiola claims Man City will petition rule preventing Guehi from playing Arsenal in EFL final

This season, competition rules were updated to allow players to represent two different clubs in the same campaign. 

However, Guehi's eligibility is affected by a specific timing issue. While Antoine Semenyo, who also joined a new club mid-season, played in both semi-final legs against Newcastle United. 

Guehi was signed after City's 2-0 first-leg victory, with the timing rendering him ineligible for the second leg, which they won 3-1 and, consequently, the final.

The club is set to formally request that the English Football League (EFL) amend its rules to permit the £20 million central defender to play at Wembley on March 22. 

Guardiola revealed he has already urged the club's leadership to lobby for the England international's inclusion.

"Marc can hopefully play the final," Guardiola stated. "You pay a lot of money and I can't understand why you can't play him in the final. 

“Hopefully we can convince them; sometimes it's difficult to understand. Apparently, Marc couldn't play the second leg because he didn't play the first."

Guardiola confirmed the club's intentions to appeal. "We'll make a letter, and hopefully they understand he's not able to play for a rule that I don't understand. Hopefully they can change it and he can play."

Despite his efforts, the Catalan manager expressed skepticism about the chances of success. When asked if he believed the rule would be overturned, he replied, "No. To change the rule in this country? No way. We will try."