Mikel Arteta has expressed strong confidence in Arsenal's readiness to "attack the trophy and bring it home" as they prepare to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium. This highly anticipated match presents Arsenal with an opportunity to end a six-year trophy drought, with their last silverware being the 2020 FA Cup, which also marked Arteta's sole triumph as manager to date.

Arsenal is currently in a remarkable season, still in contention for an unprecedented four trophies. They hold a significant nine-point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League, have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, and are awaiting an FA Cup semifinal berth with a quarterfinal tie against Championship side Southampton on the horizon. Arteta emphasized the importance of stepping up in crucial moments to secure a trophy, stating, "I'm really prepared and confident that we're going to make it happen." He highlighted the team's excitement, understanding what is at stake, and noted that being in four competitions at the end of March speaks volumes about the team's performance.

The Carabao Cup final against City is viewed as a defining moment, a potential first act in their quest for the quadruple. A victory could provide a significant morale boost and a springboard for further success throughout the season. Despite the possibility of winning four titles, Arteta maintained a pragmatic approach, asserting that the team is focused on going "game by game and trophy by trophy." He acknowledged that winning on Sunday would generate immense energy and belief among the team and fans, reinforcing their capability to perform in critical moments.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the final is the managerial clash between Arteta and his former mentor, Pep Guardiola. Arteta previously served as Guardiola's assistant when Arsenal last reached the Carabao Cup final eight years ago, a match where City secured a dominant 3-0 victory. Reflecting on his past with Guardiola, Arteta mentioned the "incredible privilege" of working with him for four years and acknowledged how that experience shaped him as a manager. As for team selection, Arteta faces a decision regarding his goalkeeper, needing to choose between Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has played every Carabao Cup game, and first-choice stopper David Raya.