Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal’s recent trophy near-misses still hurt, and says winning the Carabao Cup would help ease that “pain” as his side prepare to face Chelsea in the semi-final.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Arteta said the failures to get over the line in previous competitions remain fresh for him and his squad. “It was painful!” he said, making it clear that Arsenal’s drive this season is fuelled by the disappointments of the past.
Arsenal head into the last four knowing the Carabao Cup offers a direct route to silverware, and Arteta wants his players to use that opportunity to change the club’s recent story in knockout football.
The Spanish coach stressed that reaching the latter stages is not enough for a club with Arsenal’s ambitions, and that the focus now is on delivering something tangible. With Chelsea standing between them and a place in the final, Arteta has challenged his team to show the edge that was missing when trophies slipped away in previous campaigns.
The semi-final against Chelsea will be a major test, but Arteta believes that turning those past setbacks into motivation can make the difference. For Arsenal, lifting the Carabao Cup would not just add a trophy — it would also offer a clear response to the disappointments Arteta says have lingered for too long.
