ARSENAL have been starved of trophies for six years — but Mikel Arteta feasted after booking a trip to Wembley on Tuesday night.
The Gunners beat Chelsea 1-0 on the night — 4-2 on aggregate — to set up a showdown against Manchester City in next month’s Carabao Cup final.
But soon after the wild celebrations on the pitch at full-time, Arteta’s mind was already on today’s Sunderland clash as he tucked into the post-match grub.
Arsenal are six points clear of City at the top of the Premier League and can extend that lead with victory over the Black Cats.
It is a golden opportunity to grab hold of this title race, especially as Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Liverpool on Sunday.
Even Aston Villa — third and seven points off Arsenal — could be prone to slipping up, given they have a tricky trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.
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Boss Arteta said: “Immediately after the Chelsea game you then start to think, ‘Okay, what about Saturday?’
“How can we use, first of all, the energy that is still in that stadium and the way the boys are feeling to have another positive performance and result on Saturday afternoon. Then, just start to feel what the players need — how they are.
“They were so focused as they knew the difficulty of the match. They know the importance of the match and I’m sure we’re going to be ready.
“I had dinner in the stadium on Tuesday. Macaroni cheese and a burger — not very healthy — and sushi.
“I had friends there and spent some time with them and then I went to bed. That was the plan.”
Never mind the sushi, there will be something fishy going on if Sunderland win at the Emirates.
The Black Cats are having a great season and have defied the odds to sit eighth in the Prem.
But their remarkable rise has been down to their form at the Stadium of Light and they are the only top-flight side still unbeaten at home this season.
It has been a different story on the road, though. They have just two wins and have scored only six goals from 12 games on their travels.
Plus, Sunderland have not won a top-flight game at Arsenal since back in 1983.
The Gunners played at Highbury back then — and Arteta had just celebrated his first birthday.
There is also the ominous omen for Sunderland that Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 43 home games against promoted clubs.
Avoid defeat on Saturday and that run will become the longest in Prem history.
Complacency could be Arteta’s biggest concern — especially after an emotional night like Tuesday — but the Spaniard is confident his players will be focused.
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Earlier this season, William Saliba was spotted watching clips of future opponents Atletico Madrid on the bus hours after Arsenal had beaten Fulham.
Arteta said: “Sometimes you need to switch off and the players need to just disconnect a little bit, and then go again.
“But sometimes a lot of players are incredibly fast. They want the clips, they want to review the game, they want to do this, they want information and that’s great. We must use it in the right way but it can be really powerful.”
Sunderland earned a 2-2 draw when they hosted Arsenal back in November, thanks to a late equaliser from striker Brian Brobbey.
Arteta was impressed by Regis Le Bris’ side that day and he is wary about how difficult they will make this weekend’s game.
The Premier League newboys have shown themselves to be a physical team, although the absence of ex-Arsenal midfielder and their captain, Granit Xhaka, through injury is a blow.
On the test they face, Arteta added: “They are extremely competitive, really well coached.
“They have very good individuals and a very clear identity of what they want to do — where they want to take the game — and they are very good at it.
“You can obviously see the results they had against the top sides, so we know what to expect but we need to deliver.”
The atmosphere at the Emirates has been nervy in recent weeks and particularly for Prem games.
Fans are desperate for Arsenal to get over the line and end their 22-year wait to win the title.
Only then will they be able to relax and — like Arteta — have their just desserts.
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