Mikel Arteta said Arsenal are ready for the challenge of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, while also stressing the need for discipline, composure and the right calls on injured players ahead of Wembley.
Mikel Arteta kept Arsenal’s main injury questions open ahead of the Carabao Cup final, confirming there are no fresh concerns after Tuesday but making it clear that Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber remain in a race against time for Wembley.
“Not for now,” Arteta said when asked if there were any new injury issues following the win over Bayer Leverkusen. “We have another training session tomorrow, so the ones that are in contention, hopefully they can give us good news.”
That was the same message when he was pressed on Odegaard and Timber specifically.
“Yeah, we have another session tomorrow, so let’s see if they can make it.”
Team news
Those quotes leave Arsenal waiting on two of their most important players right up until the final session. Odegaard’s return would change the feel of the side in possession, while Timber’s availability would give Arteta an important boost in defence against a Manchester City team that still carries major threat even in a less consistent season by their standards.
Arteta also made clear that the final squad itself will not be easy to settle. Arsenal can only name 20 players for Wembley, and he admitted that decision carries extra weight given how many members of the squad have played a part in the run to the final.
“Yeah, especially because everybody’s been involved in the competition, and on the last day when you have the option to be at Wembley, not to give the opportunity to somebody not to be there… Difficult. So yeah, something to think about.”
This is not only about who starts. It is also about who misses out entirely on one of Arsenal’s biggest occasions of the season.
Kepa decision remains open
One of the biggest selection issues is in goal. Kepa Arrizabalaga has started throughout Arsenal’s cup run, but David Raya remains the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and the obvious alternative for a final of this size.
Arteta gave little away when asked whether Kepa would keep his place.
“We’ll see. However, it’s tomorrow when I make the decision.”
He was also asked more broadly about how goalkeeper choices differ from outfield decisions, and his answer suggested he sees the role as a unique one.
“Yeah, especially if you talk to the goalkeeping coaches, they are very special because they are always different. And they are different; it’s a position that is very specific.”
He also acknowledged the effect those calls can have on individuals.
“Yeah, every decision that you make has an impact and when you have to pick between two players normally it’s positive for you and negative for him. So the other way around it can be. You need to weigh everything, every decision, try to be as fair as possible as well and sensible.”
That does not confirm anything, but it does underline how carefully the decision is being handled. Arteta is not treating the goalkeeper issue as straightforward, even if the final answer will come only after one more session. An interesting choice from Arteta, especially considering Raya welcomed his first child, Rio, this week.
What the final means
Arteta was more direct when the wider significance of Sunday’s game was put to him. Arsenal are still in contention on multiple fronts, but he insisted his focus is on the final itself rather than what winning it might mean later.
“Yeah, that’s it. For me, that’s it. Until the preparation and all the enjoyment, the next 48 hours to get to Wembley in the best possible way. I’m really prepared and confident that we’re going to make it happen. It’s focused on that, basically, and that’s it.”
Still, he did accept that finals are defining moments.
“It’s one of the defining moments because at the end it’s whether you win the trophy or not. And that’s the most important thing once you get to the final. But in order to be there, you have to do a lot of things and learn a lot of things that the team has done so far. So we need to prove that point. That’s clear. And that has to be done on the pitch.”
That was perhaps the clearest line of the press conference. Arsenal have done the hard work to get here. Now they have to finish it.
Arteta also admitted the chance to end a long wait for silverware adds an extra edge.
“Well, when you have been in this position and years without winning a trophy obviously it adds more necessity but as well more drive because you really want it and that’s something that we have.”
Pep, Wembley and the bigger picture
There were also the inevitable questions about Pep Guardiola, given Arteta’s close relationship with the Manchester City manager. Arteta said the bond has changed naturally because of distance and circumstance, but not in substance.
“It had to. He’s in Manchester, I’m in London. We are managing two different clubs. The feelings from my side hasn’t changed at all.”
He added: “The inspiration has been since I was little for me. That’s never going to change.”
On Wembley itself, Arteta was in lighter mood when reminded of his unbeaten record there as both an Arsenal player and manager.
“I don’t know, but let’s keep it that way.”
There was also a note of caution when he was asked whether this could be the beginning of a new era for Arsenal. Arteta did not push that narrative.
“There is a lot to do and to start to talk and use those words in my opinion. We are very excited about what we are doing and we need to continue to make the right strides.”
That felt consistent with the rest of his answers. There was confidence, but not overstatement. Excitement, but also restraint.
What Arteta’s press conference really told us
The clearest takeaway from Arteta’s press conference is that Arsenal are close enough to Wembley for details to dominate everything. Odegaard and Timber are still fighting to be ready. The goalkeeper decision is still open. The final squad is still being shaped.
But beyond the selection issues, Arteta’s message was also simple. Arsenal know what is at stake, they know what winning would mean, and they believe they are ready to make it happen.
As he put it, Arsenal are now at “one of the defining moments” of their season. Sunday will decide whether they leave Wembley with a trophy, or another near miss.