Mikel Arteta hopes a victory over Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup tomorrow night will give the club the momentum to challenge for more silverware.
Arteta has been in charge at the Emirates for five years but has guided Arsenal to just one FA Cup title in that time. And while the EFL Cup is not the Gunners’ number one priority this season, the Spaniard knows that winning is a good habit.
Speaking ahead of the eight clash, he said: “I think if you win, you create something different. These kinds of games are very important. It brings faith, trust and positive energy.
“It creates the right path to go and do something else. It ups the ante.
“When you win, you run and go to the next competition.
“The team is always engaged every three days.”
🗞️ Tomorrow’s opposition
🗞️ Team Selection Balance
🗞️ Building momentumEvery word from Mikel Arteta’s pre-Crystal Palace press 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 17, 2024
Arsenal have faced criticism for their lack of goals from open play this season and again failed to find the back of the net in Saturday’s goalless draw with Everton.
“The pressure comes when you’re in a big team and you want to do your best,” added Arteta.
“The disappointing part is watching the incredible things we’re doing and not getting three points. This is football.
“We have to put the ball in the back of the net. There is very little to say.
“It’s always the narrative, when you score five you’re not going to talk about it. This 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.
