'It could be the start of something!' - Declan Rice fires Arsenal team-mates up as Gunners prepare for EFL Cup final showdown with Manchester City

Gunners eye Wembley glory

Arsenal head to Wembley on Sunday riding a wave of momentum following a 14-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. This weekend's Carabao Cup final represents the club's first appearance in a major domestic final since their 2020 FA Cup triumph, serving as a critical litmus test for Mikel Arteta’s evolving squad. While City boast vast trophy-winning experience under Pep Guardiola, the North Londoners arrive in high spirits after

Rice demands mental resilience

Speaking ahead of the final, Rice highlighted the potential for this match to act as a catalyst for future success. "Definitely, it could be the start of something," said Rice. "It is the first trophy that is up for grabs. If you win that, the momentum after that, that takes you forward, is massive."

The 27-year-old remains galvanised by the atmosphere within the Arsenal dressing room, despite admitting to feeling "shattered" by a relentless fixture schedule. "The lads are already talking about it in there, we’re excited—we’re ready. At the minute, every game of football we go into, we believe we can win, so we’ll be ready and looking forward to it," he asserted. "How much do you want it on Sunday? How much do you want to win a trophy for this team, and these fans?"

Eze emerges as X-factor

Beyond the tactical battle with City, Rice pointed to the growing influence of Eberechi Eze as a potential "X-factor" for the Gunners. Following

Defining sprint toward history

Following the Wembley showpiece, Arsenal face a gruelling run-in that will test the limits of their squad rotation. While the