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Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber have been left out of the Arsenal starting lineup for this afternoon's clash against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. Mikel Arteta has made two changes to the side that faced Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg on the UEFA Champions League last-16 on Tuesday night.
Speaking to reporters at the Sobha Realty Centre on Friday afternoon, the Gunners boss previewed the highly anticipated fixture. Arteta said: "It’s one of the defining moments because at the end, it’s whether you win the trophy or not - and that’s the most important thing once you get to the final.
"But in order to be there, you have to do a lot of things and earn a lot of things as the team has done so far. So, we need to prove that point, that’s clear, and that has to be done on the pitch."
On what it would mean to win with supporters at Wembley Stadium, having won the FA Cup in August 2020 behind closed doors, the Spaniard said: "Let’s leave that until Sunday, and I can probably answer the question better."
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Referring to victories in the Community Shield in 2020 and 2023, Arteta added: "But I’ve done it when the stadium is full and been part of that, and it’s exceptional.
"One of the best memories I have as a player is playing those types of games. That’s why we’re all very excited, because we know what’s at stake. We really want it and we know what it’s going to mean for our people as well."
On the challenges of selecting a 20-man squad, Arteta said: "Especially because everybody has been involved in the competition, and on the last day when you have the option to be at Wembley, not to give the opportunity for someone to be there, it’s difficult. So, yes, it's something to think about."
Whether emotion affects any decision to pick certain players, the Arsenal boos said: "Yes, every decision that you make has an impact, and when you have to pick between two players, normally it's positive for you and negative for him.
"I'll do it the other way around, it can be. You need to weigh everything, every decision, try to be as fair as possible as well and sensible, that's it."
Kepa Arrizabalaga has featured nine times for Arsenal this season, with eight of which coming in each of the domestic cup competitions. When pressed on who will start between the sticks in the Carabao Cup final, Arteta said: "Especially if you talk to the goalkeeping coaches, they are very special because they are always different; it's a position that is very specific.
"There is a lot of history about that that is very related to how people have made decisions in the past and when something different happens, it sounds different at least. But we don't know how it's going to be in 10 or 20 years' time."
The Gunners boss later added: "We really trust our teammates and in that case especially when you work with the quality of the keepers that we have right now at Arsenal.
"They played at the highest level with other clubs and they have the experience to deal with any kind of situation."
Arsenal starting lineup: Arrizabalaga, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Raya, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Norgaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Dowman, Jesus.
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Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta's side every step of the way - and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.
It's a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.
The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League - and they're also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
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