The end of the Carabao Cup against him Manchester City It was the greatest opportunity he had Arsenal to get rid of the burden of accumulating more than 2,000 days without raising a title. Much more than double that of any other club in the BigSix. However, they didn’t manage to do it… and something seems to have broken in the ‘gunners’ after the elimination suffered in the quarterfinals. FA Cup against Southampton right after the break.
“During the first phase, it is like a ball of poison that you have in your stomach. You have to get it out as quickly as possible. Learn from that and make sure that fire is still there, remembering what happened,” warned a player before the match. Mikel Arteta that he just wanted to put what happened behind him so that the wound wouldn’t get infected.
The respect of Arsenal towards the FA Cup It is reverential… being the team that has lifted the title the most times (14). The last one, in 2020, under the orders of a Mikel Arteta who had taken over the club a few months earlier. “It is a very important competition, closely linked to the history of our club. We want to return to Wembley and we have the opportunity to do so.”
We want to return to Wembley and we have the opportunity to do so
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach
Arteta, even so, dispensed with many of the heavyweights… in addition to those he has in the infirmary: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Zubimendi, Rice or Saka They were not part of the game. In any case, it should not have caused any disruption to a Arsenal which, practically, has two starting elevens. But, after having managed to tie the tie through Rooted before the break, the Southampton He deepened the wound, consummating his elimination five minutes from the end.
“The result is the most painful thing. Especially the way we conceded the two goals. We dominated the game completely, we had two very clear chances before the Southampton would mark. You have to take advantage of them. It is our responsibility,” Arteta acknowledged once the match was over.
The problem is detected. And the thing is that, at the moment that this Arsenal It is no longer an impenetrable rock at the back, it is falling very short at the top. Proof of this is that They have already conceded 21 goals throughout the 23 games they have played in all of 2026 when, during the first stretch of the season before closing the year, they only conceded 13 and managed up to eight clean sheets.
‘Get your hands on this one’ Arsenal It no longer seems like an impossible mission and, for the first time this season, they have combined two defeats… for a total of five throughout this season. A ‘mini’ crisis that is shaking the castle at the decisive moment. ArtetaIn any case, put your chest first. “I’m going to defend them more than ever. If anyone has to take responsibility, it’s me.”
I am going to defend them more than ever. If anyone has to take responsibility, it’s me
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach
The duel can only be overcome by winning games again and, next Tuesday, the Arsenal visit the Alvalade to measure up to Sporting in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions. Last season they gave them a ‘little hand’ in the league phase. But, in 2023, it is worth remembering that the ‘lions’ killed Arteta and theirs in eighths of Europa League.
In between, they also receive Bournemouth of Iraola, who already attacked the Emirates last year and goes 11 days without losing in this Premier… although the last five are counted as ties. From there, the next stop will be a visit to the Etihad Stadium in a match called to mark the outcome of the championship.
“We have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us. So get up, take responsibility and perform as we have done,” Arteta stressed after the elimination suffered against Southampton. Something seems to have broken at Arsenal… and they must fix it before it’s too late.
