Arsenal must prove they are winners in League Cup final, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta said Sunday’s League Cup final against Manchester City would be a defining moment for Arsenal as they seek to shed their tag of “nearly men”.

The Gunners are on course for an unprecedented quadruple, nine points clear of second-placed City in the Premier League and with favourable quarter-final draws in the Champions League and FA Cup.

But after three consecutive second-placed finishes in the Premier League, Arteta acknowledged his side have to prove they can get over the line.

“It’s going to be one of the defining moments because at the end of the day it is about whether you win the trophy or not,” the Spaniard said on Friday.

“That is the most important thing once you get to the final.

“But in order to be there you have to do a lot of things. There are a lot of things the team has done so far, but we need to prove that point, that’s clear, and it has to be done on the pitch.”

Arteta has transformed Arsenal’s fortunes since leaving his job as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City to take charge at the Emirates in 2019.

But he has won just one major trophy during his reign — leading his team to FA Cup glory in 2020 at an empty Wembley during coronavirus restrictions.

Guardiola said in his own pre-match press conference his relationship with Arteta had changed over time, but played down talk of any friction now they are title rivals.

The Arsenal boss said he is forever grateful for the opportunity he had to learn alongside Guardiola early in his coaching career.

“The fact we are never together and can never spend time together is important in our relationship, but it is not the most important,” said Arteta.

“How I feel about him and the time we had together and what he did for me, the inspiration he’s been… that is never going to change.”

Arteta hopes captain Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber will be fit enough for the Wembley final after missing the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek due to injury.

And he refused to confirm who would start in goal.

Guardiola said James Trafford will keep his place for City instead of number one Gianluigi Donnarumma after starting all his side’s domestic cup games this season.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has played most of Arsenal’s cup games, but plays second fiddle to David Raya in the Premier League and Champions League.