Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has stressed that the League Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday will be a pivotal moment for the club as they look to shed their 'nearly men' image.
The Gunners are currently pursuing a remarkable quadruple, holding a nine- point lead over City in the Premier League and securing favorable matchups in both the Champions League and FA Cup.
Despite this success, Arteta acknowledged the need for his team to validate their ability to achieve greatness after finishing as runners-up in the league for three straight seasons.
"This will be one of the defining moments, as ultimately, it's about winning trophies," he stated.
He added, "The most crucial aspect once you reach the final is winning the title. However, getting to that stage requires considerable effort; the team has accomplished much so far, but we need to demonstrate that on the field."
Since taking charge in 2019, Arteta has rejuvenated Arsenal, having previously worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola.
Despite notable progress, the club has secured only one major trophy, the FA Cup in 2020.
Ahead of the final, Guardiola played down any perceived rivalry with Arteta, even as both teams vie for major accolades.
Arteta expressed his gratitude towards Guardiola for the significant impact he had on his coaching journey, stating, "It's important that we rarely meet and don't spend much time together in our relationship, but what truly matters is my feelings for him and the time we worked together. The inspiration he provided me will always resonate."
As Arsenal prepares for the Wembley showdown, they hope to have captain Martin Ødegaard and defender Jurrien Timber available after missing the recent victory against Bayer Leverkusen due to injuries.
Meanwhile, Guardiola confirmed that James Trafford will remain as goalkeeper for the final, ahead of first-choice Gianluigi Donnarumma.
For Arsenal, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been utilized in most cup matches this season but continues to be behind David Raya in the hierarchy for the Premier League and Champions League.
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