Sat discussing his new contract back in September, it was made abundantly clear what Mikel Arteta wanted from the next phase of his time at Arsenal. Arteta spoke about all the fine work that has gone on to rebuild the club during his almost five years in charge - an anniversary he will celebrate on Friday - but there was an acceptance that silverware was now needed.
“We have to add trophies to that, for sure,” he said. “And we will do our best to achieve that.”. It is words like that which make this week so intriguing for Arteta as Arsenal prepares to face Crystal Palace twice in the space of four days. The first of those meetings is at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, before the Gunners travel to Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday.
Arteta has traditionally used the Carabao Cup as opportunity to rotate his squad, and that has been the case this season. In third round against Bolton, four teenagers - including 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter started - and a further two came off the bench. In the last round at Preston, two teenagers started and two more were used as substitutes.
The temptation will be there for Arteta to rotate again on Wednesday given the packed schedule Arsenal face this month. Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Everton showed how the schedule is taking its toll on them, with Declan Rice taken off in the second half after complaining of a niggle.
