Arsenal are set to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. Mikel Arteta attended the pre-match press conference and discussed the team's preparation .
Reporter: Is knowing Pep Guardiola an advantage for you?
Arteta: Yes, but many things have changed dramatically since six years ago. The way I prepared for matches in the past is completely different from now, and the players are different too. Although I have coached some of the players before, that is in the past. Ultimately, you can make some predictions about the match, but the most important thing is the actual performance on the pitch.
Reporter: Is "fighting for the trophy" the message to the players?
Arteta: That's how we always play. We want to take control, bring the game to a position that favors us, and give full play to our potential. We will play the same way in the final.
Reporter: Do you think Arsenal are the favorites to win this match?
Arteta: No, we are not, absolutely not. I think we are about to face a final that we must win. Whether we are favorites or not doesn't matter.
Reporter: It has been six years since you last won the FA Cup. Have you been longing for a trophy all this time? Has the long trophy drought affected you?
Arteta: Of course, we have always had a strong desire to win trophies, and that desire has always been there. No matter how many championships I have won before, this will not change. But it is indeed a difficult situation to accept, because I always want to win every competition I participate in. But in sports, sometimes other players or teams perform better than you. What you have to do is find ways to surpass them and constantly pursue progress.
Reporter: What have you learned from the three finals you have experienced with Pep Guardiola?
Arteta: The situations were all different. For some finals, we had very little preparation time, while other times it was relatively abundant. I think the key lies in the team's state. The initial team was already different from when we had won many trophies and achieved great success in the third year. You have to let the team feel and experience it, then try to press the right buttons to put the team in the right emotional state to achieve the results we need.
Reporter: Will the pre-match preparation process change? Are there special decisions made for each match?
Arteta: No, it won't change. I usually follow the same routine. I start my routine from the moment I wake up, including the initial preparation, the way I take a shower, the clothes I wear, the water I drink, and the food I eat. This has become a part of my body. When it comes to the match, it's time to show myself, and I must be ready for it.
Reporter: Do you have any words for the fans?
Arteta: Be with us, cheer for every ball and every action, show how much we desire victory, and charge towards the trophy together.
