Arteta admits Cup final defeat ‘like ball of poison’ ahead of FA Cup clash

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Mikel Arteta has revealed that Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City left him feeling like he had a “ball of poison” in his stomach, admitting the loss will haunt him for “the next 30 years”.

The Gunners were comprehensively outplayed in the second half at Wembley last month as two goals from Nico O’Reilly handed Pep Guardiola’s side a crucial psychological victory over the Premier League leaders, ending Arsenal’s hopes of an unprecedented quadruple.

Speaking ahead of the FA Cup sixth round clash against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday evening, Arteta opened up about the lingering pain from that defeat.

Using defeat as motivation

“During the first part, it’s like a ball of poison that you have in your tummy,” said Arteta according to The Guardian. “Take that out as quick as possible. How can I use that to make myself better, to make the team better?”

The Arsenal manager, who still hasn’t won a trophy since his first season in charge, insisted the experience would serve as lasting motivation.

“There is a part that I think has to be there and I think this is not going to go in the next 30 years. Because when you have the opportunity to win a final in Wembley, you have to get it done. So that has to stay there,” he added.

Goalkeeper decision looms

Arteta refused to confirm whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would retain his place between the posts despite the reserve goalkeeper’s costly mistake that led to O’Reilly’s opener in the final. The Spaniard has been Arsenal’s cup goalkeeper this season, starting in victories against Portsmouth, Wigan and Mansfield.

Playfully describing his goalkeeper choice as “European, under 32, right-footed and speaks at least two languages”, Arteta defended his policy of not dropping players for individual errors.

“I’m never going to judge a player or make a decision because he’s made an error,” the manager explained. “Attitude, behaviour, yes 100%. An error is part of football and anybody can do it.”

Squad update ahead of Southampton

The Arsenal boss remained tight-lipped about team selection following the international break, where 11 players withdrew from their national squads. He confirmed Thomas Tuchel’s assessment that Declan Rice is operating at only 70% fitness, a situation that “has been going on for a while”.

Piero Hincapié and Noni Madueke will both miss the Southampton fixture, though Arteta expressed hope that the latter could return for next week’s Champions League trip to Sporting. Martin Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber could feature after their recent injury concerns.

Having witnessed City’s psychological blow at Wembley, Arteta will be determined to keep Arsenal’s remaining trophy hopes alive when the Gunners travel to the south coast looking to book their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.