Arsenal head into the March international break off the back of a painful defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final
Mikel Arteta with his Arsenal players after their Carabao Cup final defeat
Mikel Arteta spoke with his Arsenal players after their Carabao Cup final defeat(Image: Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock)
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Arsenal have two weeks to recover from their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City. Mikel Arteta has already called for his players to rally after Nico O'Reilly's brace ended their dreams of an historic quadruple, and they have an international break to navigate before returning to action.
The Gunners' first game back after that break comes against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The first leg of the Champions League meeting with Sporting CP follows and they aren't back in league action until Bournemouth come to North London on April 11.
Arteta's side can't end the season with four trophies but three are still within their grasp. Their advantage at the top of the Premier League table stands at nine points, though City have a game in hand as well as home advantage against Arsenal when the teams meet in April.
While some members of the Gunners squad are away with their national teams, others will be aiming to return to full fitness for the run-in. Here are Mirror Football's latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta's private message
Arteta spoke with his players after the Carabao Cup final defeat to remind them it's still in their power to create positive memories from this season. Despite their disappointment at Wembley, there is still a chance for the team to show this season's hard work wasn't for nothing.
"Well, especially to have some perspective on it and what this team has done in the last eight months has been incredible," Arteta said when asked what he told the squad. "We're going to use this disappointment and this fire in the belly to have the most amazing two months that we have ever had together.
"That's on us and we'll manage that energy in the right way. Now we have to go through that pain and disappointment and it's normal and it's part of football."
Changes of plans
Six members of Arsenal's squad have seen their international responsibilities change. Five have dropped out of their countries' squads while another has been added following an injury elsewhere.
Ben White is the player to get a late call-up. The right-back hasn't played for England since leaving the 2022 World Cup camp early but has been brought in by Thomas Tuchel after the withdrawal of Jarell Quansah.
Ben White during the 2026 Carabao Cup final
Ben White has been called up by England(Image: PA)
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While White comes in, his team-mate Ebere Eze has dropped out. Eze missed the Carabao Cup final through injury and his place in the Three Lions squad has been taken by Newcastle star Harvey Barnes.
Jurrien Timber also missed the final and won't link up with the Netherlands squad for their upcoming friendlies. Leandro Trossard, Gabriel and William Saliba did play at Wembley but have withdrawn from international duty for Belgium, Brazil and France respectively.
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