I. Arsenal‘s Strong Squad Boosts Confidence: Competing on Four Fronts with Eyes on Ending the Drought
Arsenal has been mired in a trophy drought for several years since winning the FA Cup in 2020. Even though they have challenged for the Premier League title during this period, they have never managed to claim the top spot, nor have they reached the final of any cup competition. This season, with a complete and strong squad, the Gunners have finally ushered in an excellent opportunity to end the drought. The statement from defensive core Saliba further highlights the team’s determination: “We know we have the ability to win every competition. We have to start winning trophies now.”
Saliba has not won any major trophies in his personal career, but Arsenal’s squad is not lacking in players with rich championship experience, which has become an important confidence boost for the team’s title bid. Teammate Rice once won the Europa Conference League with West Ham United, Timber claimed the Eredivisie title, Jesus holds honors in the Brasileiro Serie A and Premier League, Jorginho has a Primeira Liga title to his name, Merino, Zubimendi and Raya have won the European Championship, and Havertz even scored the winning goal in the Champions League final during his time at Chelsea, helping the team win the European title. Such a star-studded and experienced squad configuration means Arsenal should never be a trophy-free team.
Unlike in the past, when the team might strategically abandon minor competitions for key ones, Arteta has not shown any intention of “strategic trade-offs” this season. Even for the League Cup, the team has given their all. In the just-concluded League Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal eliminated Crystal Palace via a penalty shootout to advance to the semi-finals. This result means that from now until early February, the Gunners will face a dense schedule, having to play 12 consecutive games. Even with a tough schedule, for Arsenal, which is determined to end the drought, every chance to win a trophy cannot be missed.
II. Arsenal’s League Cup Bid: Key to Ending the Drought and Breaking the Semi-Final Curse in the Derby
Among the four competitions – Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League – the League Cup may be relatively less prestigious. But for Arsenal, which has not won a trophy for a long time, this trophy has a special significance: it is the fastest championship honor the team can reach, and more importantly, it is a key step to end the trophy drought, ease the anxiety of title contention, and build the team’s confidence. As Saliba said, everyone will count their trophy haul when they retire, and the League Cup is undoubtedly a trophy worth fighting for with all their strength.
However, Arsenal has had painful experiences of defeat in the League Cup semi-finals. Last season and in 2022, the Gunners reached the League Cup semi-finals twice, but in the four games against Newcastle United and Liverpool, they failed to score a single goal and were eliminated regretfully. Now that they have reached the semi-finals again, Arsenal will face Chelsea in a derby showdown, and the two-legged tie is destined to be full of suspense and challenges. For this crucial duel, Saliba is fully prepared: “It’s a big derby, we are close, we have to learn from last season. At the end of the day, it’s a trophy too.”
From the team’s reserve of championship experience, to coach Arteta’s attitude towards title contention, and then to the players’ desire to win, Arsenal’s determination to win the championship this season is full. The League Cup semi-finals are not only a test of the team’s ability to cope with the dense schedule, but also an excellent opportunity to end the trophy drought. For Arsenal, no matter the weight of the competition, every trophy is an important piece in the team’s road to revival, and this season’s journey to end the drought may start with the League Cup.
