Mikel Arteta’s next critical call at Arsenal is so obvious because of Arsene Wenger’s warning

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The Carabao Cup fourth round may not seem like Mikel Arteta’s biggest test, but it really is for one reason.

Arsenal welcome Brighton to the Emirates in the Carabao Cup after overcoming Port Vale last time out in the competition.

Port Vale were shocked at how strong Arsenal’s squad was in that game, which is something Arteta must not entertain against the Seagulls.

The opposition might be tougher, but in this instance, one wrong call from Arteta could be damning, as Arsene Wenger once found out in the tournament.

Mikel Arteta must learn from the Carabao Cup mistake Arsene Wenger admitted to

It’s been over ten years since Arsenal infamously lost to Sheffield Wednesday to be knocked out of the Carabao Cup.

Wednesday beat Wenger’s side 3-0 on the road back in October 2015, and after the match, the former Arsenal manager admitted to a mistake he instantly knew he’d made.

Both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott collected injuries on the night, something that Wenger knew could’ve been avoided.

“We are short now with the injuries,” the Frenchman told the media after his side’s loss at Hillsborough.

“I have to manage the workload of the players, and at the end of the day, I still think I maybe brought too many experienced players here.”

Wenger acknowledged after full-time that he’d made a mistake involving as many senior players in the match as he did, which is something Arteta must take note of.

Arsenal suffered four injuries against Crystal Palace, and while the squad has the depth to manage rotation without any qualms, further injuries must be prevented, with the Premier League and Champions League a priority.

Mikel Arteta’s record in the Carabao Cup

With Lionel Messi-esque teenager Max Dowman and the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri desperate for minutes, Arteta has alternatives to overworking his starters.

It’s thought that Arsenal will make many changes to face Brighton, who, despite being an impressive Premier League side, are not the Gunners’ priority right now.

That being said, Arteta might actually have an opposing view of the fixture, as if there’s one thing the Spaniard will want to amend, it’s his record as Arsenal boss in the competition.

Arsenal have made the semi-finals of the cup twice under Arteta, but on both occasions, they were outplayed by Premier League rivals.

Last season, the Gunners were humiliated by Newcastle United over two legs, failing to secure a spot in the final.

Arteta’s wait for a cup final goes on, making Wednesday night’s contest all the more fascinating.