Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has said Sunday’s League Cup final against Manchester City will be a defining moment for Arsenal as they aim to shake off their “nearly men” label.
The Gunners are chasing a historic quadruple, sitting nine points clear of City in the Premier League and enjoying favorable draws in both the Champions League and FA Cup.
However, after finishing second in the league for three consecutive seasons, Arteta admitted his side must prove they can go all the way.
“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,” he said.
“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 revitalised Arsenal since taking charge in 2019 after leaving his role as assistant to Pep Guardiola.
Despite the progress, he has won just one major trophy, the FA Cup in 2020.
Guardiola, speaking ahead of the final, downplayed any rivalry tension between the two, despite their teams competing closely for major honours.
Arteta also expressed gratitude to Guardiola for the influence he had on 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,” he said.
“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.”
Arsenal are hoping captain Martin Ødegaard and defender Jurrien Timber will be fit for the Wembley final after missing their recent win over Bayer Leverkusen due to injury.
City boss Guardiola confirmed that James Trafford will continue in goal for the final, ahead of first-choice keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
For Arsenal, Kepa Arrizabalaga has featured in most cup matches this season but remains behind David Raya in the Premier League and Champions League pecking order.