Arsenal latest: Mikel Arteta's private message to players as six see plans turned upside down

• 

• Arsenal
• Arsenal News
• Mikel Arteta

Arsenal have two weeks to recover from their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, with Mikel Arteta rallying his players after the Wembley setback

Arsenal have a fortnight to regroup following their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.

Manager Mikel Arteta has already reminded his players of what's at stake as they look to bounce back after Nico O'Reilly's brace dashed their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple.

There's now an international break to negotiate before competitive football resumes with a trip to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The opening leg of their Champions League tie with Sporting CP comes next, with no more Premier League responsibilities until Bournemouth visit the Emirates Stadium on April 11.

Arteta's men can no longer claim all four major honours this term, though a treble remains achievable. Their cushion at the Premier League summit currently sits at nine points, although closest challengers City have played a game fewer and will also benefit from home advantage when they take on Arsenal in April.

While certain members of the Gunners squad are representing their countries, others will be working towards full fitness ahead of the season's decisive phase. Here are our latest lines from the red side of North London.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Arteta opens up on squad message

Arteta addressed his players following the Carabao Cup final to emphasise they still have time to deliver positive memories before the season is done. Despite their Wembley setback, opportunities exist for the team to demonstrate this season's efforts haven't been in vain.

"Well, especially to have some perspective on it and what this team has done in the last eight months has been incredible," Arteta said when questioned about his message to the team. "We're going to use this disappointment and this fire in the belly to have the most amazing two months that we have ever had together.

"That's on us and we'll manage that energy in the right way. Now we have to go through that pain and disappointment and it's normal and it's part of football."

Plans turned on their heads

With the international break looming, six Arsenal stars have seen their plans change. Five have withdrawn from their national teams whilst another has been called up after a compatriot dropped out.

Ben White is the player receiving a late summons. The right-back hasn't represented England since departing the 2022 World Cup camp early but has been recalled by Thomas Tuchel following Jarell Quansah's withdrawal.

Whilst White joins the squad, his colleague Ebere Eze has pulled out. Eze was absent from the Carabao Cup final due to injury and his spot in the Three Lions squad has been filled by Newcastle star Harvey Barnes.

Jurrien Timber also missed the final and will not join the Netherlands squad for their forthcoming friendlies. Leandro Trossard, Gabriel and William Saliba did feature at Wembley but won't link up with their countries, Belgium, Brazil and France, due to injury concerns.