Arsenal must take the EFL Cup seriously this season.

Traditionally, the Efl Cup – or the Carabao Cup as it may be referred to for sponsorship reasons – is not a tournament that Arsenal have expended a great deal of focus on. The Gunners have not lifted the trophy since 1993, although they have lost in the final of the competition on three occasions since then.

Dating back to the Arsene Wenger era, Arsenal, like many top Premier League clubs, have used EFL Cup fixtures to heavily rotate their starting XI and hand fringe players and promising youngsters a chance to get some game time. 

Mikel Arteta is continuing this trend in many ways. For instance, he handed 19-year-old Hale End academy ace Charles Sagoe Jr his senior Arsenal debut in the third round clash against Brentford on Wednesday evening. Cedric Soares also got a rare run out off the bench.

However, Arteta did name a fairly strong team overall, with regular starters Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, and Eddie Nketiah included from the off. Whilst trusted figures such as Jorginho, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Aaron Ramsdale were also in the starting XI.

This match was also used as an opportunity to get valuable minutes into the legs of players like Reiss Nelson, Jakub Kiwior, and Emile Smith Rowe, who will all play important rotational roles in the squad this season.

Overall, it was enough to secure a 1-0 win for the north London club, and Arteta ought to be delighted that his side are through to face West Ham United in the next round. 

EFL Cup a huge opportunity for Arsenal

On top of continued opportunities to rotate his team and share out minutes amongst his players, preventing them from becoming overly restless, Arteta should also have serious ambitions of winning this trophy.

Manchester City’s early dismissal at the hands of Newcastle United makes that an even more realistic aim. 

This is a young Arsenal squad that has come close to a Premier League title, but hasn’t actually lifted any major silverware before (discounting the Community Shield, for obvious reasons).

Winning a trophy would be a hugely beneficial experience for this group going forward, and will boost their belief that they can battle for the top prizes in the game right to the bitter end. 

The EFL Cup final typically takes place in late February. Winning that trophy at that point this season would be a major boost for Arsenal heading into the run in, when they will hopefully be in a title chase again.

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