Jamie Carragher launched a scathing attack on Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal following Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Carragher Slams Arteta’s ‘Loyalty’ to Kepa: ‘He Owes the Fans, Not the Goalkeeper’
The former Liverpool defender did not hold back in his criticism after the Spaniard’s costly error handed City the opening goal at Wembley.
Arrizabalaga, who has served as Arsenal’s cup goalkeeper this season, gifted possession to Nico O’Reilly, who scored easily to break the deadlock.
Carragher labelled the mistake an “absolute shocker” and insisted Arteta should have selected first-choice goalkeeper David Raya for the final.
He argued that the Arsenal manager’s loyalty to his second-choice shot-stopper undermined the team’s best chance of ending a long wait for silverware.
“Mikel Arteta does not owe Kepa anything. He owes Arsenal fans the best possible chance of winning a trophy,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“The goalkeeper comes to the club knowing he is second-choice. When it comes to the final, that has to change. This team needs to get over the line.”
Carragher contrasted the situation with Manchester City’s handling of James Trafford, stating that Pep Guardiola’s side had less pressure given their history of winning the competition.
He also pointed to Liverpool’s use of Caoimhin Kelleher as a different scenario, where the club wanted to keep the player.
“Kepa is not good enough for the top level. We saw that at Chelsea,” Carragher added.
He also suggested that Arsenal’s squad would have preferred Raya to start, calling the goalkeeper one of the team’s best players this season alongside Declan Rice and Gabriel.
Despite the criticism, Arteta stood by his decision after the match.
“I would do it again. Kepa deserved to play and has been phenomenal for us,” he said. “Errors are part of football.”
The defeat ends Arsenal’s hopes of a domestic quadruple, though they remain nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as they chase a first league title in 22 years.
