Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is eager to shed its reputation for falling short in recent seasons.
Both the Gunners and their manager are striving for a trophy, their last success being the 2020 FA Cup final win against Chelsea. This came just nine months after Arteta transitioned from his role as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City to manage Arsenal at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Arteta’s mentor, Pep Guardiola, has amassed an impressive collection of trophies in the same timeframe, including the Champions League, four Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Since their last triumph under Arteta, Arsenal has faced defeat in several key semi-finals: the 2021 Europa League to Villarreal, the 2022 and 2025 EFL Cup semi-finals against Liverpool and Newcastle United respectively, and last season’s Champions League semi-final to eventual champions Paris St-Germain.
The Gunners have finally broken this losing streak by reaching a final. However, Arteta faces the additional challenge of overcoming Guardiola, having secured just four wins in their last 16 encounters (including the 2023 Community Shield) while suffering nine defeats.
Evidently, Arteta is under significant pressure to break this cycle of failing to secure silverware.
Former Arsenal and England defender Matt Upson stated to BBC Sport: “I believe Arteta has the most to gain, as, despite Arsenal’s strong performances, he hasn’t accumulated enough trophies during his tenure.”
“For Arteta, it’s been a consistent narrative of ‘almost there’ after seasons where they’ve finished as Premier League runners-up. They haven’t quite reached the pinnacle, making this a crucial occasion for him.”
“While both Arteta and Guardiola have distinct reasons for wanting this win, I feel Arteta’s need is greater, as he’s under pressure to secure a trophy.”
“The long-term pressure rests on Arteta, but in the immediate, Guardiola also faces scrutiny. A City victory is vital to at least shake Arsenal’s confidence, which would be highly beneficial for City during the remaining eight games of the season.”
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha suggests that a victory would still hold immense importance for his old club.
He commented: “Having just experienced the sting of Champions League defeat, City can channel the pain of their exit against Real Madrid into the Carabao Cup final, using it as motivation at Wembley.”
“This presents an excellent opportunity for them to recover, and clinching a trophy in their final match before the international break could drastically alter their outlook on the entire season.”