Arsenal is trying to cover Portvale on the road on Wednesday night, ensuring a safe passage for the Carabao Cup until the last 16th inning – a race that could end the club’s trophy drought
No one should underestimate the importance of the Carabao Cup to Mikel Arteta. The Arsenal manager has done an incredible job with the Emirates since taking charge in December 2019, but has one trophy that shows all of his outstanding work.
The lonely FA Cup of 2020 meant the world at the time. It was a huge moment. Lifting trophies, something lifted the mood of the fanbase, even if the final was held at blank Wembley Stadium in the COVID era.
But we’re continuing to go back to it… Arteta spends £900 million and has one trophy to show it. Of course, Arsenal wants the biggest trophies like the Premier League title and the Champions League. It is given.
But we shouldn’t say that the League Cup has nothing to do with it. Yes, the big clubs rest and spin in the early rounds, but in the latter stage they are all protecting the best team – and are trying to win it.
why? Because that’s important. It’s important that fans have silverware to parade. It’s important that you have a trophy to show off.
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Arsene Wenger said that the top four is always like a trophy and he sticks to it. It was unfair as the two things should not be exclusive. They have a good season, finish in the top four and win the domestic cup. You can do both.
In fact, Wenger is the most successful manager in FA Cup history, with Arsenal recording it 14 times and Arteta winning twice as a player with the club.
That’s the FA Cup. However, the Carabao Cup is also important. Arsenal reached the semi-finals last season, losing to Newcastle on two legs, with the Eddie Howe man defeating Liverpool at Wembley.
Then watch the celebration. See how disappointed Liverpool has been. Don’t say it’s not relevant. that’s right.
If Arsenal won the Carabao Cup last season, reaching the Champions League semi-finals and finished second, it would have been a great season.
Just as it is, Arsenal won’t win the trophy and can ask people like me about Arteta, who needs to win more silverware.
For years, the League Cup was a big thing for Arsenal – winning only twice in 1987 and 1993. I really believe Anfield 89 would not have been there if Arsenal had beaten the mighty Liverpool in 1987 and hadn’t beaten the spurt in the semi-finals.
Looking at the recent winners of the trophy. They are all big guns. Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Yes, Arsenal wants a bigger trophy this season. But don’t underestimate the importance of silverware. They are all special and all remain in history books and photo albums. They define managers and Wembley heroes.
To be fair, Arteta is not the manager who rejected national trophies like some. He plays for England and knows what that means. Therefore, he would know that Arsenal cannot be underestimated. It starts at Portvale tonight.
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