Arsenal have officially secured their place in the 2025–26 Carabao Cup final after eliminating Chelsea with a convincing 4–2 aggregate victory. The highly anticipated final is scheduled to take place on 22 March at Wembley Stadium, offering the Gunners a golden chance to end a long trophy drought in the competition.
Reaching the final marks a significant milestone in Mikel Arteta’s ambitious Quadruple pursuit this season. For Arsenal supporters, the occasion carries extra weight, as the club has not lifted a major trophy since winning the FA Cup in the 2019–20 campaign.
However, history presents a stern warning. Arsenal’s record in Carabao Cup finals has been far from encouraging, with the North London side failing to win the competition since the 1992–93 season.
A Difficult History in Carabao Cup Finals
Arsenal’s struggles in the League Cup final stretch back decades. Their first appearance came in the 1967–68 season, ending in a narrow 1–0 defeat to Leeds United. The following year proved even more painful, as they lost 3–1 to Swindon Town, a side competing two divisions below them at the time.
The Gunners finally broke their curse in 1986–87, defeating Liverpool 2–1, inspired by a memorable brace from Charlie Nicholas. Their second and most recent triumph arrived in 1992–93, when Arsenal edged out Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 to claim the trophy.
Since then, the story has been largely disappointing. Arsenal have featured in six additional Carabao Cup finals, losing every single one. Those defeats came against a variety of opponents, including Birmingham City and Manchester City in the modern era, underlining a recurring inability to handle the pressure of the occasion.
Arteta’s Mental Test and Arsenal’s Golden Opportunity
Repeated final defeats have created a psychological barrier Arsenal must overcome. Ending a 33-year wait for the Carabao Cup will demand not just tactical discipline, but also strong mental resilience from Arteta’s squad.
For Arteta himself, this final represents a defining moment. Lifting the trophy would silence lingering doubts about Arsenal’s record in high-stakes matches and reinforce the Spaniard’s long-term project at the club.
More importantly, success at Wembley could act as a catalyst for even greater achievements. With a balanced squad and renewed confidence, a Carabao Cup triumph may provide the momentum Arsenal need to keep their Quadruple dream alive and firmly establish themselves among England’s elite once again.
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