Arsenal’s hopes of winning a historic quadruple title ended on Sunday against Wembley, but manager Declan Rice remains determined to finish the season in style as they fight for the remaining three trophies.
Declan Rice vows to use disappointment as motivation (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Manager Declan Rice insisted Arsenal’s humiliating result against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final only reinforced their desire to finish the season on a high. The Gunners missed out on a chance to win their first trophy of the season with a 2-0 defeat at Wembley on Sunday.
Arsenal were far from in their best form and within four minutes of the second half Nico O’Reilly netted two headers to put City home. Mikel Arteta’s side went into this game fighting for a quadruple, but will now have to focus on the chances they have left.
Arsenal have not won a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, Arteta’s first year in charge, and were a disappointment at Wembley. In contrast, City achieved their fifth Carabao Cup title under Pep Guardiola, and ninth in total, with a relentless performance.
O’Reilly’s first goal came when Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to keep hold of a cross, but the City youngster added another from the back post minutes later. Other than a superb triple save from James Trafford in the first half, Arsenal hardly produced any points, but Rice took to social media to react.
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read more: Victor Gokeres regrets losing in the Carabao Cup final and vows to help Arsenal win the trophyread more: Declan Rice and Gabriel’s different reactions to the Arsenal team that saw Man City lift the trophy
“Final defeat does not define us,” he wrote on Instagram. “It only makes us more motivated to continue and finish the season on a high note. As always, thank you to our amazing fans. See you after the holidays.”
Arsenal are nine points behind Premier League leaders City, but their rivals still have a game in hand. After the international break, they will face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, before facing Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last eight.
Arteta also sent a similar message to his players after the match. “I’ve had a great eight months with this team,” he said. “It’s disappointing today. We have to use the fire in our bellies for the next two months to have a great season. It’s our responsibility and we’re going to manage that energy in the right way. Now we have to go through that pain and disappointment, but it’s normal and it’s part of football.”
Arsenal must pick themselves up and get going again (Image: Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
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“It’s very sad and very difficult to take, especially for the players and the supporters, because we know how much it meant to them and how much they wanted it, and the fact that we couldn’t achieve it is obviously disappointing and sad and will leave a really bad taste.
“But we wanted to show respect and they won the cup and I think we have to wait for that moment when they lift the cup and when they achieve that they will have their own celebration.
“Every time we lose or draw, if that’s the result, we have to be ready because that’s what happens when you play 70 games. It’s bound to happen at some point. But when it happened before this season, we didn’t allow that to happen. We’ve got to prove it and we’ve got to do it again.”
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