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Mikel Arteta believes that winning the Carabao Cup can unlock a “cycle” of multiple trophies for Arsenal.

The Gunners take on Chelsea in the second leg of their semi-final clash with their London rivals on Tuesday night, having won the first leg 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.

If they win, they will reach their first final since 2020 when Arteta lifted the FA Cup, beating the Blues in the final, to lift his first and so far only major trophy.

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“Well, first of all, because you work to win many trophies, and the enjoyment that that brings them, as you said, the confidence, the trust, the belief, and unlock something in you, and then you want more,” he said.

“And it's a cycle that you want to repeat constantly, and we still have to do that, and some of them, they've never done it, so it's always a first time.”

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Arteta has already spoken of wanting his side to show conviction and enjoy these remaining months, if not just to release the growing tension in the side.

Asked whether there is indeed the belief inside the group that they can go all the way this time, not just in the cup but the Premier League too, he said: "I think the group is really convinced that we have the ability to do it, and then we're very conscious that that's nothing. We have to do [it] every single day, and that's all we focus on.”

There was some focus on the Emirates Stadium’s reaction when the Gunners were beaten by Manchester United, with perceptible boos heard at full-time.

Yet, Arteta was not having the idea that there is an anxiousness in the crowd if his side fail to start games strongly or score early.

“Oh, I don't expect that,” he said. “I expect the crowd, like it's been all season with us, and the last few seasons with us, we have some incredible moments together, and tomorrow we have an opportunity to go to Wembley all together.

“So we have to push all the energy and optimism that we can all together, take that, and in a few weeks be in Wembley together.

Further scrutiny of Arteta’s side has centred around the style of play, but Arteta, citing reaction he’s seen around Europe, that he must be receiving some very different feedback.

"I hear completely the opposite,” Arteta retorted. “All around Europe that we are the most exciting team in Europe - the most goals, the most clean sheets, the most this. Maybe I have different resources.”

But when it was put to him that former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes was one of those who had been one of the critics, he simply said, “Good. Thank you very much.”