Arsenal number two Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to start against the Gunners at Wembley on Sunday as he aims to complete an unprecedented quadruple first leg victory over Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta is expected to name Kepa as a starter at Wembley this weekend (Image: Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga says the Gunners want to open their trophy cabinet on Sunday and keep it open for the rest of the season.
The Gunners are still aiming for an incredible quadruple and have the chance to deal a blow to arch-title rivals Manchester City at Wembley.
Gunners No. 2 Kepa, who is set to play in the Carabao Cup final, believes success in the Carabao Cup final will give him a taste of victory and put him in the mood for further success.
Arsenal enter the Carabao Cup final nine points behind Premier League leaders City, with a tie against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals ahead.
While City were eliminated, they also reached the Champions League quarter-finals and Sunday’s win was a huge confidence blow and could also serve as a marker for the rest of the season.
read more: Arsenal’s path to the Champions League final suddenly becomes clear
“We have big players who have played in big games like finals, the Euros, the World Cup and the Champions League. We know what it’s like to play in big games every three days,” Kepa said.
“Manchester City have great players in every position and are definitely one of the strongest teams. They have a range of options and a depth of quality. But for us, we hope this is a way to open up the trophy cabinet and keep it open.”
Kepa has appeared in two League Cup finals, but with losing sides in 2019 and 2022, well before his move to Arsenal. He currently stands in for Arsenal No. 1 David Raya, but has played all of the domestic cup games and is fully expected to start in Sunday’s final.
Kepa, who was the hero of the game with his penalty in the quarter-final against Crystal Palace, is preparing to bring his experience to the game and relish the opportunity.
Kepa was a hero as the Gunners beat Crystal Palace early in the competition (Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
He added: “The atmosphere at Wembley is very special. Everything around the game is special, including the build-up. You know you’re playing for a title, but at this moment in football any title is very difficult to win.”
“You know we’re just one game away from lifting the trophy. Of course it’s going to be a tough game, it’s going to be a very difficult game, but we’ll give it our all. I’ve played in League Cup finals before, I’ve played in many finals in my career, so I’ve been lucky in that sense.”
“So I’m just going to go into the game the best way I can. I’m going to prepare everything the best way I can because at the end of the day the goal is to win.”
“We just need to focus on the game, focus on ourselves and prepare for our opponent. That’s it. I don’t think we need to approach anything different.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie says the Champions League victory over former club Bayer Leverkusen, which included a stunning strike from Eberechi Eze, will really give them a boost for the rest of the season.
Arsenal comfortably defeated Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, setting them up perfectly for Sunday’s Wembley showdown (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Hincapie said: “I’m really excited to get to the quarter-finals with my club. I’m also a little sad because I played against my previous club, but this is soccer and I’m really happy right now.”
“We’re really focused on Sunday’s final. This is a very important final. We’re going to train hard to get to the final in the best possible way and win the title. That’s the most important thing. We’re really focused on winning, but we have to work hard to win the title.”
“It was a good goal. Great. It was great. I didn’t know it was his first goal. It was a great goal.”
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