**Arsenal's Quest for Supremacy** Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has emphasized the significance of Sunday's League Cup final against Manchester City, stating that it will be a defining moment for the team as they aim to shed their "nearly men" label. The Gunners are chasing a historic quadruple, with a nine-point lead over City in the Premier League and favorable draws in both the Champions League and FA Cup. Arteta acknowledged that finishing second in the league for three consecutive seasons has not been enough to prove Arsenal's winning credentials. "It's going to be one of the defining moments because at the end of the day it is about whether you win the trophy or not," he said. "That is the most important thing once you get to the final. But in order to be there you have to do a lot of things. There are a lot of things the team has done so far, but we need to prove that point, that's clear, and it has to be done on the pitch." Since taking charge in 2019, Arteta has revitalized Arsenal, earning praise for his coaching skills. However, his tenure has been marked by just one major trophy, the FA Cup in 2020. Arteta expressed gratitude to his former boss Pep Guardiola, who has had a lasting impact on his coaching career. "The fact we are never together and can never spend time together is important in our relationship, but it is not the most important," he said. "How I feel about him and the time we had together and what he did for me, the inspiration he's been... that is never going to change." Ahead of the final, City boss Guardiola downplayed any rivalry tension between the two teams, despite their intense competition for major honors. Arsenal will be hoping that captain Martin Ødegaard and defender Jurrien Timber will be fit for the Wembley final after missing their recent win over Bayer Leverkusen due to injury. City, on the other hand, have confirmed that James Trafford will continue in goal for the final, ahead of first-choice keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. For Arsenal, Kepa Arrizabalaga has featured in most cup matches this season but remains behind David Raya in the Premier League and Champions League pecking order.