Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered a private message to his squad following the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City on Sunday that ended their chances of a historic quadruple
09:54, 24 Mar 2026
Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta must pick his team up after their Carabao Cup final defeat
Arsenal have a fortnight to bounce back from their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City. Mikel Arteta has already urged his players to regroup after Nico O'Reilly's double crushed their hopes of a historic quadruple, and they have an international break to navigate before returning to action.
The Gunners' opening fixture following that break arrives against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The first leg of the Champions League clash with Sporting CP follows and they aren't back in league business until Bournemouth visit North London on April 11.
Arteta's squad can't conclude the campaign with four trophies but three remain within their reach. Their lead at the summit 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 sides clash in April. Whilst some members of the Gunners squad are away with their national sides, others will be targeting a return to full fitness for the finale. Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest updates from around the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta with his Arsenal players after their Carabao Cup final defeat
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Mikel Arteta with his Arsenal players after their Carabao Cup final defeat(Image: Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock)
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Arteta's private message
Arteta addressed his players following the Carabao Cup final defeat to remind them it remains within their control to create positive memories from this campaign. Despite their heartbreak at Wembley, there is still an opportunity for the squad to demonstrate this season's dedication wasn't in vain.
"Well, especially to have some perspective on it and what this team has done in the last eight months has been incredible," Arteta commented when questioned about his message to 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
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Ben White of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Final match Arsenal and between Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Ben White has returned to the England squad(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
Six members of Arsenal's squad have experienced changes in their international duties. Five have withdrawn from their national teams whilst another has been included following an injury elsewhere.
Ben White is the player receiving a late call-up. The right-back hasn't represented England since departing the 2022 World Cup camp early but has been called up by Thomas Tuchel after Jarell Quansah pulled out.
Whilst White steps in, his colleague Ebere Eze has pulled out. Eze missed the Carabao Cup final due to injury and his spot in the Three Lions squad has been filled by Newcastle star Harvey Barnes.
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Jurrien Timber also sat out the final and won't join the Netherlands squad for their forthcoming friendlies. Leandro Trossard, Gabriel and William Saliba did feature at Wembley but have withdrawn from international duty for Belgium, Brazil and France respectively.