Arteta Opens Up: How Arsenal's Trophy Drought Nearly Broke Him Before Carabao Cup Showdown
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confessed to finding it challenging to cope with his team's trophy drought over recent years as they gear up for their first opportunity at silverware this campaign.
The North London club travels to Wembley this Sunday to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, nearly six years since their last major trophy triumph. Arteta secured the FA Cup during his inaugural season as manager, but despite constructing a more formidable squad in subsequent years, has only managed to add two Community Shield victories to his collection.
"Clearly the desire to succeed has remained constant, and that won't alter whether I claim one, two, three or five [trophies]," Arteta pondered. "However, yes, it has been challenging to come to terms with because I aim to triumph in every tournament I participate in.
"When you've occupied this role and experienced years without claiming silverware, it certainly increases the urgency, but also enhances motivation because you genuinely crave it.
"And that's an element we possess. That represents something truly significant for us and something we've been striving to accomplish for some time, and now we have the chance to achieve it.
"But you must also recognize in athletics that occasionally other individuals and other clubs surpass you, and what you must do is examine yourself honestly, commit everything you have, and outperform them - that's what we're pursuing."
Arteta's Wembley Record Offers Arsenal Hope
Sunday's journey to Wembley marks the ninth occasion Arteta has visited England's national stadium throughout his playing and managerial career.
The Arsenal manager maintains an unblemished record at the venue, initially triumphing in the FA Cup semi-finals in 2014 and most recently defeating City in the Community Shield during 2023, though Arteta emphasized that this streak won't provide his team any edge on Sunday.
"No, there are no clear favorites," he emphasized. "We must compete in a final to deserve that designation. But let's maintain [his flawless record] and hopefully in several hours we'll accomplish the same."
Beyond the contest for the Carabao Cup lies the psychological test of confronting their primary rivals for the Premier League crown at this advanced stage of the campaign.
Arsenal holds a nine-point advantage over City in the league table, having contested one additional match compared to Pep Guardiola's team and still scheduled to visit the Etihad following the international break. The Carabao Cup final outcome won't alter anything regarding that situation, but Sunday's winner will anticipate gaining a significant psychological lift at such a pivotal moment of the season.