Mikel Arteta’s EFL Cup record at Arsenal highlights one key thing he must solve

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Mikel Arteta has performed superbly as Arsenal manager, but there is still room for improvement in some areas.

Whilst Arteta’s Premier League record is phenomenal, with just one defeat in 2024 so far, his record in the domestic cups is significantly worse.

Since winning the FA Cup in his first season, Arteta has not reached the final in either of the domestic cups, and his record in the Carabao Cup is particularly poor.

There is a big factor behind Arsenal’s poor showings in the Carabao Cup, as the club have historically deemed it a lower priority, and used it as an opportunity for rotation, with many youngsters given their debuts in the EFL Cup.

Criticism has been levelled at Arteta for failing to lift silverware in the last four years, and his cup record has been highlighted as a result.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s all-time record in European finals between 1970 and 2019

Arsenal’s Carabao Cup record under Mikel Arteta

Arteta has often rotated in the Carabao Cup when also competing in Europe, but in the 2021-22 season, Arsenal reached the semi-finals as they did not have Champions League or Europa League games to contend with.

Arteta has managed 12 games in the EFL Cup, winning seven, drawing one and losing four. The four defeats came in knockout blows against Manchester City, Liverpool, Brighton and West Ham.

Arsenal’s victories in the competition have mostly come against lower league sides, or teams lower in the Premier League. The only victory over a top-six team in the EFL Cup under Arteta came in the third round in 2020, as his side beat Liverpool on penalties at Anfield after a 0-0 draw.

Mikel Arteta’s managerial record in the Carabao Cup:

• Played: 12
• Won: 7
• Drawn: 1
• Lost: 4
• Scored: 22
• Conceded: 13
• Furthest round: Semi-finals

Arsenal need to improve domestic cup record

Although Arsenal are right to prioritise their Premier League title challenge, if they finish this season without any silverware, pressure will begin to grow on the players and staff.

Stars such as William Saliba have expressed their desire to win silverware, and even a Carabao Cup triumph would go a long way into silencing the outside critics.

Arsenal have the chance to use the Carabao Cup to give opportunities to younger talent, but if these fringe players help see Arteta’s side through to the late stages, a strong cup run could give a good morale boost to the squad later on in the season.