Mikel Arteta has the chance to do something Arsène Wenger never could for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta leads Arsenal into the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City this afternoon and he has the chance to do something Arsène Wenger never could.

Surprisingly, the Frenchman never tasted victory in the League Cup despite leading the Gunners to the final on three occasions.

On his first attempt, the Spaniard could better his former manager's efforts in the domestic cup as he looks to end a six-year wait for silverware.

Mikel Arteta has the chance to do something Arsène Wenger never could for Arsenal

In his 22 years as Arsenal boss, Wenger won three Premier League titles as well as triumphing in the FA Cup a record seven times. However, he was unable to lift England's other domestic trophy despite reaching the final on three occasions.

Le Professeur first led the Gunners to a final in 2007, where they came up against Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. Theo Walcott put his side in front early on, but Didier Drogba quickly equalised for the Blues before netting the winner in the late stages.

The next effort came in 2011, but that also ended in defeat as Wenger's side fell to Birmingham City. Robin Van Persie pulled Arsenal level after Nikola Žigić had put the Midlands side ahead, but substitute Obafemi Martins pounced on a mix-up between Laurent Koscielny and Wojciech Szczęsny to win the game in the 89th minute.

Wenger's final attempt came just months before he departed the Gunners, suffering a dismal 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Proving to be his last final as manager, he watched Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva dismantle his side to prevent him from securing his first League Cup title victory.

Arteta has had a good go at the Carabao Cup since being named Arsenal manager in December 2019. Prior to this season, he has led the Gunners to the semi-finals in two seasons - 2021/22 and 2024/25.

Both of those ended in defeat though, losing across two legs to Liverpool and Newcastle respectively with both teams going onto win the trophy after getting the better of the North Londoners.

Having finally ended his semi-final hoodoo with a 4-2 aggregate win over Chelsea, Arteta will be hoping he can end his long wait for silverware while also doing something Wenger never could in lifting the League Cup.

Of course, the Spaniard has a long way to go if he is to surpass his former manager's legacy, but he could at least go one better than him in one aspect this afternoon.