Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his side’s Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City was “very hard to take,” as he reflected on a disappointing night for the Gunners at Wembley.

Speaking after the defeat, Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration for both the players and supporters, acknowledging the importance of the occasion and the failure to deliver.

Arteta: “A Very Sad Result for Everyone”

Mikel Arteta did not hide his disappointment when discussing the result, emphasizing how much the final meant to the club:

“Very sad, very hard one to take, especially for our players and our supporters. We know how much it means and we haven’t managed to deliver.”

Despite the loss, the Arsenal boss highlighted that his team showed positive moments, particularly in the first half, where they created the best chance of the game but failed to convert.

Second-Half Struggles Proved Costly

According to Arteta, the turning point came after the break. Arsenal struggled to deal with City’s intensity and lost control during a crucial spell:

“In the first 20 minutes of the second half, we weren’t at our best. We had issues managing the ball and pressing them.”

He also pointed to two quick goals conceded in a short period as decisive, while giving credit to City for capitalizing on their dominance.

Decision on Kepa Explained

Arteta addressed questions about his decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, insisting it was the fair choice:

“He’s played all the games in the competition. It would have been unfair to do something different.”

The Spaniard also acknowledged that mistakes are part of football, referencing the goalkeeper’s costly error during the match.

No Excuses, But Room for Improvement

While Mikel Arteta refused to blame mentality issues, he admitted Arsenal must improve in key moments:

“There are things we can do better. We need to reflect and learn from this.”

He stressed that defeats are part of a long season and backed his team to respond strongly in the coming months.

Focus Shifts to the Rest of the Season

Looking ahead, Arteta called for resilience and a strong reaction:

“What this team has done in the last eight months has been incredible. We will use this disappointment to push for a strong finish.”

The Arsenal manager also confirmed that Ebere Eze will miss international duty due to a calf injury, with further assessment needed in the coming days.

Arsenal will now aim to bounce back quickly as they turn their attention to the remainder of the season, with Arteta confident his side can respond after a painful final defeat.