Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, emphasizes the importance of not undervaluing the Carabao Cup, suggesting that players would display great arrogance if they were to do so. Ahead of Arsenal’s Fourth Round clash against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, Arteta plans to rotate his squad, including resting key players, as they have a crucial match against Newcastle United on Saturday.
In the world of football, Premier League managers often seek opportunities to rest their top players in League Cup matches, prioritizing European competitions and league campaigns. This is despite the potential to reach Wembley Stadium and secure silverware.
Arsenal’s previous exit from the competition at the hands of Brighton last season led to a negative response from fans, given the team’s involvement in the title race. Arteta acknowledges the challenge of convincing supporters that these League Cup matches are just as important as any other game in the campaign.
Arteta explains, “I don’t know if we can convince them. If you ask about the priority, it wouldn’t be the Carabao Cup, for sure. For us, it’s more about how we use it internally – the effort we put in and our approach to every game while representing Arsenal. You can’t approach it differently because that wouldn’t show respect for the game.”
While Arsenal has used victories in previous rounds to rest players and give opportunities to fringe and academy players, Arteta underlines that his players have a strong desire to win, and they take each match seriously. He doesn’t believe his squad, which lacks World Cup winners, would approach the Carabao Cup with arrogance, and he suggests that winning the game remains a top priority for them.
In essence, Arteta highlights that underestimating the Carabao Cup would be an arrogant approach, and he maintains the importance of giving their best in every match, regardless of the competition.
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