Mikel Arteta issues Arsenal challenge ahead of crucial Chelsea Carabao Cup clash

Huge London derby showdown takes place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday

Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to use the Carabao Cup as a launchpad for Premier League success this season.

The Gunners are six points clear at the top of the table and now turn their focus to a semi-final tie against Chelsea in the League Cup.

During his time as Pep Guardiola's assistant, Arteta was involved in the Manchester City sides in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons that won the competition and then went on to lift the Premier League trophy as well a few months later.

That is the target for Arsenal, who are competing on four fronts as they look to win silverware for the first time since the 2020 FA Cup.

"Yes, as I said before, when you get to these stages in the competition, you get to the final and you go over the line and win it, it brings energy," Arteta said.

"It brings belief and the sense that everybody is very important and playing part of that. I think it's something when you get there and win it everybody remembers and if not, nobody does.

"So once you get there, get the job done."

Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup last season but lost 4-0 on aggregate to Newcastle.

The Gunners are in a stronger position this time having significantly bolstered their squad depth, and Arteta urged his players to use the pain of that Newcastle tie to spur them on against Chelsea .

"Football will give you another chance," Arteta said.

"We've been really consistent again in the competition and now we have to knock another big team out of the competition to be in the final.

"That's the mission. Hopefully we'll learn from last year because it was painful, especially the manner that the games went and the amount of chances that we missed not to go through.

"But hopefully this year we are better and especially more efficient."

It is shaping up to be a special season for Arsenal , who sit top of the both the Premier League and Champions League tables and are in the hunt in both domestic cups.

Asked about his motivation, Arteta responded: "For the position that we are in and the perception that we had as well internally and socially about where the club was in every sense, and bring it back to the very, very top in every level and win a lot of big trophies."