Mikel Arteta tells Arsenal players and fans to ‘attack’ Carabao Cup Final
Mikel Arteta urged supporters to “attack the final” alongside his players as Arsenal prepare to face Manchester City in the carabao cup final at Wembley on Sunday; the manager said years without a trophy adds necessity and drive and confirmed selection and fitness questions will be decided in the build-up. Arsenal remain in contention for four trophies this season, a fact Arteta framed as fuel for the squad. Arteta refused to reveal his goalkeeper pick and said another session would determine the availability of Martin Ødegaard and Jurriën Timber.
Key facts from Arteta’s press conference
Mikel Arteta, Manager, Arsenal, set a clear tone in his pre-match remarks: “When you have been in this position and [gone] 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. ” He repeated the call for supporter involvement: “Be with us, push for every ball, for every action… Show how much we really want it and together attack the final. ”
Arteta confirmed he would not be drawn on whether a victory would mark a new era for the club, saying the focus is on the present and on taking things game by game. He specified that David Raya is the No 1 goalkeeper while Kepa Arrizabalaga has been his pick in domestic cup competitions, but he refused to name his starter for the cup showpiece. Pep Guardiola, Manager, Manchester City, has confirmed James Trafford will start for City.
Tactical questions ahead of the Carabao Cup Final
The match carries extra weight for both clubs and creates tactical variables that demand attention. Arteta stressed structure will remain central to Arsenal’s approach while personnel decisions could alter emphasis, especially in defence and midfield. Arteta did not confirm whether Martin Ødegaard, who has not featured since the north London derby because of a knee injury, or Jurriën Timber, who was forced off in the first half against Everton, would be fit; he said their availability would be assessed after another session.
Those selection doubts deepen the tactical conversation around the carabao cup final: the manager signalled certainty on philosophy but left room for personnel shifts, and City’s confirmed goalkeeper selection narrows one area of pre-match uncertainty. The buildup to the game has been described as a wider battle for supremacy and momentum between title contenders, raising the stakes beyond a single trophy.
What to watch next
Immediate attention will fall on the final training session before the match to resolve fitness questions and Arteta’s goalkeeper choice. Expect clarity on Martin Ødegaard and Jurriën Timber after that session and a definitive team sheet ahead of kick-off. With Arsenal chasing silverware after years without major success and Manchester City named opposition confirmed in selection, the encounter at Wembley will be monitored for how each manager balances structure, personnel and the urge to take the next step in a season with multiple fronts.
In short, the carabao cup final is now a defining moment: Arteta has publicly urged attack and shared the emotional context of a club chasing trophies, while Guardiola has locked in his goalkeeper selection. The next developments — final team announcements and fitness verdicts following the last session — will shape whether Arsenal can convert Arteta’s rallying cry into silverware.
