Mikel Arteta has described Arsenal’s upcoming League Cup final against Manchester City as a pivotal moment in the club’s quest to shed their “nearly men” reputation.
The Gunners are in contention for a historic quadruple, holding a nine-point lead over City in the Premier League and benefiting from favorable draws in both the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup.
However, after finishing runners-up in the league for three straight seasons, Arteta acknowledged that his team must now prove they can secure major silverware. He stressed that reaching a final is not enough, emphasizing that success is ultimately measured by winning trophies and that his players must deliver on the pitch.
Since taking charge in 2019 after leaving his assistant role under Pep Guardiola, Arteta has transformed Arsenal’s fortunes. Despite the progress, his only major trophy so far remains the FA Cup triumph in 2020.
Guardiola, speaking ahead of the final, played down any sense of rivalry between the two sides, even as they continue to compete closely for top honours. Arteta, in turn, expressed deep appreciation for Guardiola’s lasting influence on his coaching journey, noting that their relationship and shared history remain significant.
Arsenal are hopeful that captain Martin Ødegaard and defender Jurrien Timber will recover in time for the Wembley showdown after missing the recent win over Bayer Leverkusen through injury.
Meanwhile, Guardiola confirmed that James Trafford will start in goal for City, ahead of first-choice keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. For Arsenal, Kepa Arrizabalaga has featured prominently in cup competitions this season but remains behind David Raya in the pecking order for league and Champions League matches.
