Arsenal are looking to win the Carabao Cup for the first time in more than 30 years with Mikel Arteta bidding to succeed where Arsene Wenger continually fell short
The Carabao Cup was not a happy hunting ground for Arsene Wenger
The Carabao Cup was not a happy hunting ground for Arsene Wenger
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For all his success, one thing continued to elude Arsene Wenger at Arsenal - the League Cup. It had many names during his tenure, but never once did the Frenchman get his hands on it.
Even back in the 1990s when he arrived in England it was very much seen as the fourth most desirable prize after the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. But almost all of the greats have won it at least once in their time - the majority winning it on several occasions.
It wasn't as if Wenger couldn't produce in a one-off game. His FA Cup record speaks for itself. The Frenchman hoisting the trophy aloft a staggering seven times. For context, that's more than the likes Newcastle and Everton have managed in their entire existence.
But for some reason, the League Cup and Wenger just didn't mix. For long periods of his tenure he used it as the breeding ground for his next generation, sometimes fielding an entire XI of players who would be no older than 21 or 22.
That helped the likes of Jack Wilshere blossom, but it often became their undoing in the latter stages when inexperience told. The continued defeats also became an issue when Wenger embarked on a period of almost ten years without a trophy.
Top four finishes were annual events, but the Arsenal faithful grew frustrated with the lack of success. Wenger continued to fight his corner but the League Cup, sometimes overlooked by their rivals, presented an ideal opportunity for him to tick the trophy box and move on.
Mikel Arteta is bidding to take Arsenal into the final when they host Chelsea on Tuesday night, enjoying a 3-2 lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge. If the Spaniard can win it, he will end a wait that dates back to 1993. It would see him succeed where Wenger couldn't as we look back at some of the more damaging, and perhaps most embarrassing, exits from the competition for the Frenchman.
Mikel Arteta is 90 minutes away from the final
Mikel Arteta is 90 minutes away from the final(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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2015/16 - Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Arsenal
Wenger's tenure would only have two years left but any loss, especially by that margin, to a team in the Championship will never be well received. Owls manager Carlos Carvalhal said the they had just a "10% chance of progress", but it was a chance they took. Arsenal themselves could only muster two shots on target as they never recovered from going behind early on. Wenger also lost first-team stars Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to injury.
2012/13 - Bradford 1-1 Arsenal (lost on penalties)
The League Two side were on their way to a memorable final at Wembley, but their hopes truly ignited when they beat the Gunners at Valley Parade. They did so courtesy of the lottery that is a penalty shootout, but plenty connected with Arsenal will say it should never have got that far.
Arsenal were stunned on penalties by League Two Bradford City
Arsenal were stunned on penalties by League Two Bradford City
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Gunners skipper Thomas Vermaelen missed the crucial penalty as the club's poor form at the time continued. Arsenal had needed an 88th minute equaliser just to force extra-time - but Wenger claimed his team didn't need to be embarrassed by their exit.
2010/11 - Birmingham 2-1 Arsenal
This was seen as the day that the north Londoners would finally put the 'you haven't won a trophy' narrative to bed. Even if they were facing a fellow Premier League side, they were hot favourites in the final. Robin van Persie's strike got them level at Wembley and they were expected to push for a winner. Instead an almighty defensive mix-up allowed Obafemi Martins to tap home with just minutes remaining and prolong the Arsenal agony.
Tottenham hammered Arsenal in the 2008 semi-final
Tottenham hammered Arsenal in the 2008 semi-final
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2008/09 - Burnley 2-0 Arsenal
Two goals from Kevin McDonald allowed the then Championship side to upset the odds and send Arsenal's young side crashing out of the Carling Cup. The opening goal came after just six minutes following an error from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who spilled the ball into his path. It was ultimately a limp exit for an Arsenal side including teenagers Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, but they couldn't prevent a quarter-final exit.
2007/08 - Tottenham 5-1 Arsenal
Juande Ramos had enjoyed a stunning start to life at White Hart Lane and had Tottenham purring. They were unlucky to draw the first-leg of their semi-final 1-1, but pressed home their advantage on their own patch. Being hit for five is difficult on any night, but even harder to stomach when its your arch rivals. Arsenal were never in the contest, trailing 4-0 at one point. It was Tottenham's first win over their neighbours since 1999.
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