Arteta hoping EFL Cup success can prove springboard for more silverware

Mikel Arteta is hoping a win over Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup tomorrow night will provide the momentum for the club to claim more silverware.

Arteta has been in charge at the Emirates for five years but has led Arsenal to just one FA Cup title in that time. And while the EFL Cup isn’t the Gunners’ number one priority this season, the Spaniard knows winning is a good habit.

Speaking ahead of the last-eight clash, he said: “I believe that if you are winning, it creates something different. These kind of games are really important. It brings belief, trust and positive energy.

“It creates the right path to go and do something else. It gets the momentum going.

“When you are winning you get on a run and go into the next competition.

“The team is always engaged every three days.”

🗞️ Tomorrow’s opposition
🗞️ Balance of team selection
🗞️ Building momentum

Every word from Mikel Arteta’s pre-Crystal Palace presser 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 17, 2024

Arsenal have faced criticism for their lack of goals from open play this season and they again failed to hit the back of the net in Saturday’s goalless draw with Everton.

“The pressure comes when you are in a big club and you want to do the best you can,” added Arteta.

“The frustrating part is watching the incredible things we do and do not get three points. This is football.

“We have to put the ball into the back of the net. There is very little to say.

“It is always the narrative, when you score five you won’t talk about it. That is normal but for us it does not change.”

Arsenal will be without left-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori against Palace while Declan Rice is “fine” but may not play.