Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal’s defeat by title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final last month left him feeling like he had a “ball of poison” in his stomach but has vowed to use that painful experience to ensure his team ends the season with silverware.
Arsenal were totally outplayed in the second half at Wembley a fortnight ago as two goals for Nico O’Reilly enabled Pep Guardiola’s side to land a psychological blow over the Premier League leaders and end their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple. Arteta refused to confirm whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would start against Southampton in the sixth round of the FA Cup at St Mary’s on Saturday evening after the reserve goalkeeper’s mistake led to O’Reilly’s opener.
