Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence that Arsenal can still pursue a Carabao Cup triumph despite a growing list of injuries. The latest casualty is 17-year-old forward Ethan Nwaneri, who was substituted at half-time during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Brighton after scoring the opening goal. Arteta confirmed that Nwaneri will be sidelined for a few weeks, adding to the club’s injury woes, including the prolonged absence of Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal now face a challenge heading into the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle, with a depleted attacking lineup. Arteta, however, remains optimistic about his squad’s ability to cope with these setbacks. Although he could not guarantee the return of Kai Havertz, who has missed the past two games due to illness, the Arsenal manager insisted that the team has the depth to compete for silverware. Arteta emphasized that winning a trophy remains a priority for the club, underscoring the significance of achieving success in such a competitive environment.
Arteta described the pursuit of trophies as a key focus from the outset of the season, stressing that the team is determined to approach every competition with the same level of commitment. The Carabao Cup has been part of that strategy, with the manager highlighting the importance of winning every game and taking things one match at a time. With the team now in the semi-finals, Arteta is resolute in his desire to see Arsenal through to the final.
Despite the injury concerns, Arteta is hopeful that key players will return to the lineup. Gabriel Martinelli is expected to feature in the upcoming match against Newcastle, and Martin Ødegaard, who has also been battling illness, could make a return as well. Arteta rejected suggestions that his team had been too defensive after taking the lead against Brighton, which was later equalized by a controversial penalty. He noted that sometimes a team simply isn’t able to maintain control of a match, but stressed that credit should also be given to the opposition for their resilience.
For Arteta and Arsenal, the Carabao Cup represents an opportunity to secure a second major trophy under his management, a feat that would be a significant achievement in the club’s ongoing rebuilding process. Despite the injury setbacks, the manager is determined to stay focused on the task at hand and ensure that the team continues to push for success in all competitions. The squad’s resilience and depth will be tested in the coming weeks, but Arteta remains confident that they can deliver the desired results.
