By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Mikel Arteta has urged his players and supporters to “attack the final” as Arsenal prepare to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, stressing unity, belief, and focus ahead of one of the club’s most important matches in recent years.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, the Arsenal manager highlighted the significance of the occasion, with the club aiming to end a six-year trophy drought dating back to their 2020 FA Cup triumph. He called on fans to play an active role, urging them to support the team relentlessly throughout the contest.
Arteta, however, remained cautious about expectations, insisting his side is focused solely on the immediate challenge rather than broader ambitions. “We need to go game by game, trophy by trophy,” he said, downplaying talk of a potential historic quadruple despite Arsenal competing strongly across multiple competitions this season.
On team news, the Spaniard was deliberately reserved, confirming that key players including captain Martin Ødegaard and defender Jurriën Timber remain doubts ahead of the final. He indicated that their availability would depend on the outcome of the final training session, adding uncertainty to his selection plans.
Arteta also declined to reveal his starting goalkeeper, maintaining tactical secrecy as Arsenal prepare to face a Manchester City side managed by his former mentor, Pep Guardiola. Despite the competitive stakes, Arteta spoke warmly about Guardiola, acknowledging his lasting influence on his coaching career.
The Arsenal boss expressed strong confidence in his team’s mindset heading into the final, describing the squad as “excited” and “positive,” while underlining their determination to secure silverware. “We want it so much,” he said, reflecting the hunger within the dressing room to deliver a major trophy.
With momentum on their side and a place in the EFL Cup Final at stake, Arsenal head into the showdown aiming to translate their strong season into tangible success, while Manchester City seek to extend their dominance in domestic competitions.
The final is expected to be a defining moment in Arsenal’s campaign, as Arteta’s side look to take the next step in their evolution under his leadership.
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