OPINION: A Crucial Carabao Cup Test for Mikel Arteta
As we gear up to face London rivals Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup this week, it feels like the perfect time to assess what this competition means to Mikel Arteta and his squad.
The Carabao Cup is often viewed as a competition for second-string players and a chance to rest key figures while giving younger prospects much-needed exposure. However, this may not be the case for us this season.
Two consecutive draws in the Premier League leaves us third, six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. We now face a huge task to chase down Arne Slot's men, which suggests that the Carabao Cup holds more significance this season than it has in years prior.
Key players may be required to defeat an in-form Palace side and reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2022. However, this could also be an opportunity for fringe players to impress and establish themselves in the starting XI in the Premier League, particularly with the need to go on a winning run to close the gap on Liverpool in the league.
Carabao Cup Confidence Booster
Beyond the immediate tactical and squad concerns, the Carabao Cup serves as an excellent platform for building confidence. Given that Mikel Arteta has only won one major trophy in his nearly five-year reign, he'll surely be hoping to claim his second domestic title and set the stage for greater things.
The competition is the first available to win for any English team each season, and should we do that, it would build confidence and create momentum for the run-in.
Our clash with Palace also offers a chance for players, who are under the media spotlight, to showcase what they're capable of. Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, who has come under scrutiny for his performances of late, is one such player. Once a raw teenager who captured the hearts of Arsenal fans, has only managed to score four goals this season. As a result of his decreased output, there is an over-reliance on Bukayo Saka, which is limiting the team's potential.
Two Arsenal teams to play Palace in the space of three days?
Our busy schedule has us playing Crystal Palace both in the Carabao Cup on the 18th and in the Premier League on the 21st.
As mentioned previously, winning a trophy this season is seen as almost essential, but the big question is: Will Arteta pick a strong squad of starters, or gamble by trusting our youth and second-string players?
If Arteta chooses to field a strong starting XI in the Carabao Cup, many of these players are likely to feature again on Saturday when we face Crystal Palace in the league. This presents a potential problem, as Oliver Glasner and his side will have a clear preview of our tactical approach, giving them an opportunity to plan more effectively for our weekend clash.
However, if Arteta decides to take the gamble, the reward could be significant. Not only would we progress to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, but players who have lacked minutes or confidence would get crucial game time, potentially creating positive dilemmas for Arteta as we aim to start 2025 strongly.
On the other hand, if Arteta opts for a weakened squad and we fail to win the tie, he could start to feel pressure not just from the media, but also from our own fans. It would be three years running we haven't advanced to the semi-finals of the competition.