Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol can’t imagine Arsenal will get a huge boost from their Carabao Cup quarter-final win.
Now that Arsenal have booked themselves a spot in the Carabao Cup semi-final, there is a newfound optimism among fans about their prospects this season.
While there are some habits that Arsenal need to clean up, namely, conceding last-minute goals regularly, there is a hope that this win can give the Gunners a much-needed momentum boost.
But Steve Nicol doesn’t think this win does much for Mikel Arteta’s men in the grand scheme of things.
Sum up Arsenal’s game against Crystal Palace using just three words
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Steve Nicol suggests Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace win does little for them
There were a lot of positives for Arsenal in the win over Crystal Palace, despite the struggles on the night.
The connection between Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus being revived certainly bodes well for their upcoming slate of games.
But Steve Nicol can’t see the Gunners getting a massive boost from this win, discussing the matter on ESPN.
“I don’t [think this changes anything]… When you win a cup game, you’re going through to a semi-final, you start to think about the final, Wembley, the whole thing.
“You get a lift from it. But just a little lift from where they are, to be honest. It’s not a major victory.”
It’s hard to see why Nicol is trying to frame the stakes of the cup as a potential boost for Arsenal, when there is a lot more to discuss.
The return of Gabriel Jesus, along with the great performances of players like Christian Norgaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who don’t get as many opportunities to shine, are big positives for them
For Arsenal, getting a win over a dangerous Palace side while not fielding their best starting 11 is going to give them the confidence in their depth.
Arsenal must carry this momentum forward into a tricky run of winter fixtures
This win over Crystal Palace can serve as both a reminder of where Arsenal must improve, while also giving them the confidence to conquer their tough slate of upcoming games.
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Between December 27th and January 14th, Arsenal will have to play six games across 19 days. This is where their investment in squad depth will pay dividends.
If Arsenal can come out on the other side of this run of fixtures with at least four wins, fans will consider it a good outcome.
However, the past has shown that this time of year can be treacherous for the Gunners, so they must be careful not to let any potential wins slip out of their hands.
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