Mikel Arteta aims for the Carabao Cup to boost Arsenal’s trophy hopes while addressing concerns over the team’s reliance on set-pieces.
London: Mikel Arteta is really keen on winning the Carabao Cup. He thinks it could set the stage for Arsenal to grab more trophies down the line.
Since he took over, the Gunners have snagged the FA Cup and a couple of Community Shields. This week marks five years since he started coaching.
When he signed a new contract in September, Arteta made it clear he wants to add more silverware to the club’s collection, and he’s got his eyes on this season’s Carabao Cup.
Arsenal is in the quarter-finals and will face off against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. Arteta believes that winning can really boost the team’s confidence.
He said, “It brings belief, trust, and positive energy. Touching the cup and getting to the semi-finals can really change the vibe.”
Arteta feels that winning creates a different atmosphere around the team, especially with the timing of the competition in the season.
He added, “These games are crucial. They keep everyone motivated and ready to play. Winning builds momentum and belief.”
Arsenal is heading into the match against Palace after a frustrating draw with Everton. They’ve struggled to score from open play lately, which has led to some chatter about their reliance on set-pieces.
Arteta responded to that narrative, saying, “When we score a lot, no one talks about it. But if we concede, it’s all about clean sheets.”
He wants the team to keep improving, regardless of their scoring situation. Even though they didn’t find the net against Everton, he believes they can do better defensively.
Looking back at the Everton game, he felt frustrated because the team did a lot right but didn’t get the results they deserved.
“In the league, our margins are much bigger than many teams that won,” he said. “In the end, we just need to put the ball in the net, and then those issues go away.”