Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta gets given valuable advice concerning domestic cups

Jamie Carragher has urged Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to prioritize domestic cup competitions, warning that a lack of silverware could tarnish the club’s recent progress.

Despite challenging for the Premier League title in the last two seasons, Arsenal have fallen short of the ultimate prize, losing out to Manchester City both times. While their league form has been impressive, Carragher believes that a lack of cup success could leave a bitter taste.

“When I look at Arsenal over the last couple of years & when they’ve challenged, they’ve gone out of the cups really early,” Carragher stated via WeAreTheOverlap. “I think Arsenal are at a stage now where they’re too good as a team to go, ‘We’ll go out of the Carabao here’.”

Carragher emphasized the importance of trophies for a team of Arsenal’s caliber, arguing that their current trajectory could end up feeling like a missed opportunity. “Arsenal have got to win something, it’s not just about the league,” he said. “What you don’t want is this great period, where the football’s been brilliant, Arteta’s done a great job, but you end up talking about it like a Pochettino era or a Newcastle with Keegan. There’s nothing to look back on.”

He also highlighted the significance of building a legacy with the current squad: “This group of players, even if they look back on winning the FA Cup [in 2020] – but that wasn’t this team – they’ve got to win something.”

Carragher’s advice serves as a reminder that while challenging for the league is crucial, securing trophies across all competitions is essential for establishing a truly successful era at Arsenal. Arteta and his team will need to find a balance between maintaining their league form and fighting for cup glory to ensure their recent progress is remembered for more than just impressive performances.