Of the 20-man Arsenal squad that won the FA Cup final against Chelsea in August 2020 only five are likely to be involved in this evening’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Liverpool.
In the space of 18 months, serious surgery has been undertaken on the first team (seven players have left permanently and five are out on loan) leaving Mikel Arteta with a young and exciting group who are clearly hungry but have everything to prove.
For many of them, a trip to Wembley in February would represent the first major final of their careers and a key stepping stone in their development.
“I can sense that excitement when they are training and they are really looking forward to it,” said Arteta when asked what it would mean to beat Liverpool and reach the Carabao Cup final.
“Many of them, the majority of them, have not experienced that. This is why you play football, it’s why you play for this club, to challenge for titles and to play in this kind of game and then go and win it because that’s the best memory you can have.”
After a tumultuous week that has seen the club accused of undermining the integrity of the Premier League – views dismissed out of hand by the manager – Arteta also made clear that his players are fully united and expects supporters to further galvanise them with vocal support at the Emirates.
“I think we’re going to see that [unity] in the stadium because we have to defend ourselves and the best way to defend ourselves is to demonstrate who we are,” he noted.
“That’s what we have to do and the best way to do it is on that pitch.”
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Arsenal’s 2020 FA Cup-winning squad
Out: Martinez (Aston Villa), David Luiz (released), Ceballos (returned to Madrid), Sokratis (released), Willock (Newcastle), Kolasinac (released), Macey (released)
Loaned: Bellerin (Real Betis), Maitland-Niles (Roma), Torreira (Fiorentina), Nelson (PSV Eindhoven), Smith (Doncaster)
Retained: Holding, Tierney, Xhaka (banned), Pepe (at AFCON), Lacazette, Aubameyang (undertaking medical checks), Nketiah, Saka
Annoyed not be at the stadium tonight. Whoever is going have a bloody riot would ya. Lets show these scousers a new fortress
Work meetings shifted from tomorrow as I intend to have no voice after cheering on the boys tonight!
Don’t know who will end up being available today but no matter who plays, I hope they show spirit, desire, togetherness, and confidence. COYG!! We’ve got this!!
COYG!!!
Let’s book the Wembley ticket tonight 🔴
Really looking forward to this one and The Emirates is going to be rocking tonight. I just hope it doesn’t go all the way to penalties.
The biggest question is will Partey be back? That really would be a massive boost.
If not, then I suspect it’s Lokonga/Ode in CM.
If Tomiyasu is still out, I would prefer to see Chambers get the nod over Cedric.
Partey played the full game for Ghana Tuesday night, I’d be really surprised as well as concerned if he starts tonight.
Yeah seems too early for a ‘Konga-Partey tonight. Hopefully on the weekend!
cedric picked up a knock, most likely chambers or tomi
and it’s unlikely partey will be rushed back to action given he recently played for ghana
I won’t judge the team tonight based on the result, but fight, energy and performance. This is still going to be a strong Liverpool side and a tough match, so let’s just go out there and give everything we’ve got! COYG!
TONIGHT GONNA BE A GOOD GOOD NIGHT
#COYG ❤
This lads has shown they can match any body.
I started following arsenal in the 90’s when i use to watch d premiership highlights on NTA sponsored by rothmans .it feels good to be alive today to witness the emergence of this lad..no matter what happen today .with a couple of good signing in d summer ,arsenal will be that team everybody will be scared to play.a fortress in d making ..
I love u arsenal n God knows when this team isnt doin well it affect my life..
Good to be alive despite Roth man’s best efforts!
Damn! Looking back at that FA cup winning squad, it’s crazy to see how different our team looks now and how much stronger we’re looking.
We’ve really taken significant strides forward, in less than 2 years ago as well!
In two seasons – ’23 – ’24 – pundits will be talking about Arsenal as possible EPL winners.
We are 4 players away from a truly great team.
A top striker, replacements for Xhaka and Leno, and a back-up for Tomiyasu.
We’ve been 4 players away from a great team since 2006!
The difference now seems to be that we have a plan to keep our young players rather than sell them in their prime and start the process again.
Imagine Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Saliba, Lokonga, Partey, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli and Saka still around in 2 seasons; and we add the 4 players I listed, not to mention the new crop of Academy graduates, that would be something special!
Tbf the last few seasons we’ve been 8-10 players away from a great team so the gap has certainly shrunk
Isn’t Reiss Nelson at Feyenoord?
Yes he is.
Really hoping we can take the lid off the Emirates tonight and show those media twats what we’re about – both on the pitch and off it.
COYG 👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Those he has a choice?