Mikel Arteta has issued a passionate plea to Arsenal supporters ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley, calling on them to “attack the final” in unison with his squad.
The Gunners sit top of the Premier League and remain in the hunt for an extraordinary four trophies this campaign, yet nearly six years have elapsed since they last claimed major silverware.
“Be with us, push for every ball, for every action,” Arteta urged fans. “Show how much we really want it and together attack the final.”
Arsenal’s most recent triumph came in the 2020 FA Cup, though that Wembley occasion was played behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal fans to cheer and roar at every oppurtunity against Man City
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REUTERS
This time around, Arteta will have the backing of half a Wembley, though fitness concerns cloud his preparations.
Captain Martin Odegaard remains a doubt after missing every match since sustaining a knee injury during February’s north London derby against Tottenham.
Defender Jurrien Timber is also uncertain after departing the pitch in the opening half of last weekend’s fixture with Everton.
“We have another session tomorrow, so let’s see if they can make it,” Arteta said when pressed on the availability of both players.
Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola go head to head for the Carabao Cup on Sunday
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GETTYThe Arsenal manager will assess his options following Saturday’s training before finalising his squad for the Wembley showpiece.
Arteta has also kept his goalkeeping selection under wraps ahead of the final.
Whilst David Raya serves as the club’s established first-choice between the posts, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been the preferred option throughout the domestic cup competitions this season.
The Arsenal boss declined to reveal which stopper will feature at Wembley, maintaining an air of mystery around his team selection.
His counterpart Guardiola has taken a different approach, confirming that James Trafford will start in goal for Manchester City.
The contrasting styles of the two managers extend beyond tactics to their handling of pre-match media duties.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to start for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final
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GETTYArteta served as an assistant coach under Guardiola at Manchester City before taking the reins at Arsenal, and the Spaniard spoke warmly of his former mentor ahead of their Wembley meeting.
“The feelings from my side hasn’t changed at all,” Arteta reflected. “He’s in Manchester, I’m in London. We are managing two different clubs.”
The 43-year-old acknowledged that their professional commitments now limit time spent together, yet insisted this matters little in the grand scheme of their bond.
“What I feel about him and the time that we had together and what he did for me, the inspiration has been since I was little for me. That’s never going to change.”
