Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Sunday’s League Cup final against Manchester City is a defining moment for his team to shed their “nearly men” tag. The Gunners are on course for an unprecedented quadruple, leading the Premier League by nine points and with favorable draws in the Champions League and FA Cup. Arteta acknowledges his side must prove they can get over the line, saying, “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”.
Arteta has transformed Arsenal’s fortunes since taking charge in 2019, but has won just one major trophy – the 2020 FA Cup. He hopes captain Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber will be fit for the Wembley final after missing the midweek win over Bayer Leverkusen due to injury. City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed James Trafford will start in goal, and Arteta refused to confirm his goalkeeper choice.
