Mikel Arteta has cast doubt on whether Arsenal can win “major trophies” after a costly week in the FA Cup exit and are hanging on by a thread in the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal have not won a major prize since 2020 when Arteta orchestrated a surprise FA Cup triumph, although he since then there has been a total lack of trophies.
The Gunners have struggled to keep pace with Liverpool in the Premier League title race, were were beaten on penalties by Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday and should overturn a 2-0 aggregate deficit to Newcastle United to avoid the same fate in the Carabao Cup.
Against Manchester United, Arsenal were unable to make their man advantage count in almost an hour of play after Diogo Dalot was sent off in the second half.
“Obviously (we're) banking on not performing like that and waiting for a shot to go in and score a goal. I don't want to bet on that. I bet that team will try,” he replied. Arteta when asked afterwards. if his team faces a psychological block.
“Will we win big trophies? I don't know. But playing like that… there are very few teams in the world who can play at that level.”
Arsenal are still going strong in the Champions League after winning four of their opening six games, sitting inside the top eight. But Arsenal's most recent European game came before the start of the current domestic fixture. The final two games of the 'league stage' against Dinamo Zagreb, 24th, and Girona, 30th, will still come in the remainder of January.
The Gunners, after enduring an injury crisis at the start of the season which affected their form, are again struggling with availability due to Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and now Gabriel Jesus was withdrawn.