Mikel Arteta: We Need Squad Of 20 Top Players To Compete With Big Clubs

Mikel Arteta admits the squad is still some way from competing…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted that the team is far from challenging the top clubs in Europe following our Carabao Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Liverpool.

After battling to a 0-0 draw at Anfield last week, playing the majority of the game with 10-men, we put ourselves in a good position to qualify for the Wembley showpiece.

However, having postponed our north London derby fixture last weekend, Arteta put together the best possible XI he could but the team looked off the pace.

Despite a blistering first 15 minutes during which Alexandre Lacazette hit the bar, the visitors were in cruise control throughout the match and hit us with two knockout blows through Diogo Jota.

While Jurgen Klopp’s men were missing forwards Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, their overall quality shone through and Arteta admitted we need some time before we can bolster similar options.

“Yeah because you need to have a squad of 20, 22 top outfield players and to do that, it takes time,” the Spaniard said when asked if Arsenal had some way to go to get to Liverpool’s level (via HaytersTV).

“I am extremely proud of how our supporters have tried to help the team. The momentum that we have created, because I know what those players have done to play tonight.

“Five or six of them haven’t had any training sessions and they were still willing to compete, and the way they competed against this team, in my opinion, is remarkable. I will try to use that in a positive way and use it towards Sunday,” Arteta added.

Out of all cup competitions before the end of January, our aims for the rest of the season are now clear – 18 cup finals to try and bring Champions League football back to the Emirates.

Achieve that, and Arteta will have overseen our most successful campaign since 2016.