Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Carabao Cup
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes winning the Carabao Cup this season could have a transformative impact on the club as they aim to establish themselves as consistent trophy contenders.
The Gunners take on Crystal Palace in the quarterfinal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, hoping to edge closer to their first major silverware since their FA Cup triumph in 2020. Arteta highlighted how other successful managers, such as Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, used the League Cup as a springboard to further success.
Guardiola’s first trophy with Manchester City came in the 2017 League Cup. Asked if Arsenal could follow a similar trajectory in the Carabao Cup, Arteta stressed the significance of lifting the trophy.
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“It is really helpful; it brings belief, trust, and positive energy,” Arteta said during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “Touching the cup, being in the semifinal, and beating somebody in the final—it creates that energy and sets the right path to go and do something else, particularly because of the timing of the competition in this country.
Arsenal have the chance to qualify for the semi-final of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday when they host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
First chance of silverware this season & still so much to fight for.
Locked in. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/AfFkbZtn58
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) December 16, 2024
“It gets that momentum going. I fully believe in that. Winning and progressing to the next round creates something different around the team, and that’s why these games are so important.”
Arsenal head into the clash after facing criticism for their lack of creativity in open play during a recent performance against Sean Dyche’s Everton. Reflecting on that game, Arteta expressed frustration but insisted his side’s dominance in matches is evident.
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“The frustrating part is watching it back and seeing all the things the team has done without getting a reward,” he said. “Looking back at all the games in the league, our margins are ten times bigger than many other teams that won that day.
“This is football. At the end of the day, what we have to do is put the ball in the net, and then we don’t have that issue. With the way the team dominates the game, there’s very little to say.
“When you score five goals, then another five, then another three, nobody talks about it. If you concede, it’s ‘you don’t have many clean sheets.’ That’s normal. That’s the narrative. For us, it doesn’t change. We want to improve regardless of whether we score three or five.”
With a place in the semifinals on the line, Arteta will hope his side can deliver a statement performance and take another step toward breaking their silverware drought.
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