by Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal fans to stand by him to help the club win the first trophy in five years.
A number of disgruntled fans headed for an early exit from the Emirates Stadium during Arsenal’s midweek defeat in the opening match of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Newcastle.
The Gunners are still in the hunt for the Premier League – six points behind leaders Liverpool – and on course to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
They have also topped the Premier League table over the past calendar year, but their 2-0 defeat to the Magpies dealt a major blow in their quest to secure a trophy this season.
Arsenal last celebrated silverware in 2020, when they beat Chelsea to win the FA Cup. It remains the only major triumph of Arteta’s reign in north London and the Spaniard – despite the reversal of the club’s fortunes since taking charge – is under pressure to deliver on his promises.
The Gunners host FA Cup holders Manchester United in a blockbuster third-round tie on Sunday, and Arteta was asked how important it was for the club’s fans to remain patient.
“In my opinion it is crucial because the success we have achieved is very, very linked to the atmosphere and the energy we have created among our supporters,” he said.
“We want to win the FA Cup. I don’t expect to get credit (for winning the FA Cup in 2020). I expect to be judged by what we do that day. And what happened in the past, in the future, is irrelevant.
“When you’re competing on all fronts, it’s normal (to be criticized) because a lot of people want to support another club. If I look at what they say about Chelsea, Tottenham or Liverpool, it’s the same. There is no difference.
Arsenal’s campaign has been hampered by a series of injuries to major players. Captain Martin Odegaard has missed a dozen matches with an ankle problem, while the Gunners will be without Bukayo Saka until March after tearing a hamstring.
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“He (Saka) has been there a lot,” Arteta said of the England striker. “It’s great to see him because he always has a smile on his face.
“He is going through a period that is unknown to him because he has never been injured for such a long time. But he can use this time in the right way to make himself a better person and when he comes back he will be in a great place.
Arsenal have won the FA Cup a record 14 times, one more than United who triumphed over rivals Manchester City last season. The Gunners have also won the last four meetings between the two sides, including a 2-0 win at the Emirates last month.
Arteta, who won the trophy as an Arsenal player twice, added: “The FA Cup is an important part of Arsenal’s history.
“We’ve won it 14 times. It’s a competition that is very close to our hearts and it will be a great match to play on Sunday against a massive club.
