Decades of Aspiration:...

The long-awaited moment has arrived.

After nearly six years and four unsuccessful semi-finals, Arsenal’s 4-2 aggregate win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final secures their place in a major final once again.

This will be Mikel Arteta’s first final since leading the team to an FA Cup triumph in 2020, marking only their second final under his leadership.

The match was intense and occasionally lackluster, but when Kai Havertz slotted home an injury-time goal to seal their Wembley spot, the jubilation from fans and players at the Emirates Stadium underscored the event’s importance.

Despite both teams managing only two shots on target, the Gunners showcased their resilience, rarely appearing threatened and displaying the traits that have made them difficult to beat.

As a result, Arsenal will compete in their ninth EFL Cup final, facing either Manchester City or Newcastle on Sunday, March 22.

Should they go up against City, it would be a rematch of the 2018 final, which the Manchester club won while Arteta was part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.

This match would not only present an opportunity for Arsenal to seek revenge for that loss but also to secure their first League Cup title in 33 years and challenge some prevailing perceptions.

Arteta expressed, “The atmosphere inside our stadium was special. It makes a significant difference. We’ve been waiting for a few years to reach this position, and we are going to relish the final.”

“These moments are like the best vitamins for our bodies as we play every three days. The effort put into achieving these milestones and experiencing them together is simply magical.”

Midfielder Declan Rice added, “We deserve this. In the last three or four years, we’ve been competing at the top of the Premier League but have fallen short. That’s why we have the extra motivation this season to push further in every competition. There’s still a long way to go, but reaching a cup final with this club is incredible.”

For the past few years, Arteta’s tenure has been characterized by near misses in cup competitions and the Premier League.

Now, just one game stands between them and breaking their trophy drought—can the Premier League leaders finally disprove the ‘nearly men’ label?

Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson commented on BBC Radio 5 Live: “This has been a long time coming for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has been building the foundations, fostering a strong team spirit and ethos.”

‘Arsenal’s Momentum Is Building’

Since clinching the FA Cup in 2020, Arsenal has faced disappointment in four semi-final appearances without winning a single leg.

Finally crossing the finish line on Tuesday could provide a significant psychological boost, particularly if they succeed in lifting the trophy in March. In recent seasons, they have experienced painful collapses in the Premier League, losing leads that cost them the title, adding to the pressure on Arteta to secure honors this season more than ever.

While their sights are set higher than the Carabao Cup, the impact of securing early silverware on the remainder of their campaign should not be underestimated.

Upson reiterated: “The fans are just as eager as the players and manager to win a major trophy. They aspire for a Premier League title, and winning this cup is a significant step towards achieving that goal.”

“It is vital that they win a semi-final and reclaim a trophy, as it has been too long without success, especially given their long-standing competitive presence.”

“Winning this would boost their confidence significantly. The vibe and momentum within the stadium post-victory is vital for Arsenal.”

Arsenal defender William Saliba stated, “It’s a big club, so there’s always pressure. We thrive on that as footballers. We have many matches ahead—four months left to compete hard in every tournament. We have the squad and coaching staff capable of achieving this.”

His enthusiasm is warranted; history shows that seven of the last twelve EFL Cup winners have gone on to claim at least one additional trophy within the same season.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp remarked on Sky Sports: “This team is prepared to win. They’ve endured hardship, but this result may relieve some pressure, allowing them to play more freely.”

“Based on their outstanding performance this season, there’s no reason they can’t contending for two or even three trophies.”

What Lies Ahead for Arsenal?

With 17 weeks remaining until the Champions League final, and with no trophies claimed yet, it may seem premature to discuss a quadruple. However, Arsenal sits six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Arteta’s team is set to face League One side Wigan in the FA Cup’s fourth round and has already secured a place in the last 16 of Europe’s premier competition, winning all eight matches in the league phase.

Since the quadruple became an achievable target in 1960, only four different trebles have been clinched. No English club has ever succeeded in achieving a Quadruple.

Liverpool achieved a combination of the First Division, League Cup, and European Cup in 1984, while City pulled off a domestic clean sweep in 2018-19 and joined Manchester United’s 1998-99 team as the second club to win the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup in 2022-23.

That season, City nearly completed a historic clean sweep by requiring just three more wins, while United’s team from 2008-09 came within three wins of a quadruple, yet they fell short against Everton in the FA Cup semi-finals and Barcelona in the Champions League final.

Given that Arteta’s squad is already positioned better than the iconic ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-04, who secured only one trophy that season and had their quadruple hopes dashed in the League Cup semi-finals by Middlesbrough, it’s not impossible to entertain the notion.

While Arteta may shy from discussing quadruples for now, the prospect surely ignites excitement among Arsenal fans.

Decades of Aspiration:…