Mikel Arteta defended his choice to start backup custodian Kepa Arrizabalaga against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, arguing that benching the Spaniard would not have been “fair”. Nico O’Reilly, a City academy product, scored two goals in the second half to end Arsenal’s hopes of an unprecedented quadruple, and Kepa was largely to blame for the first goal at Wembley.
After joining Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer, Kepa has already participated in every domestic cup match this season, surpassing fan favourite and first-choice custodian David Raya. The Arsenal manager stated, “I understand [the focus on the decision], but I have to do what I feel is right, honest, and fair.” “Kepa has participated in every competition game, and I believe it would have been extremely unfair for him and the squad to take a different approach.
“He helped us get all the way here [to the final], and we are led by what we have seen and what he has done in the tournament. That’s all. I think it’s the correct thing to do. Football mistakes are inevitable, and today’s incident occurred at a critical juncture.
Kepa’s gesture at full-time says it all as Gunners pay price for his blunder
In the Carabao Cup final, Kepa has experienced several setbacks. He was a member of the Chelsea squad that lost to Guardiola’s team on penalties in 2019, and he had another penalty-related loss in 2022, this time against Liverpool.
With Raya being the clear first choice at the Emirates, the former Blue was forced to take a reserve role after moving to Arsenal in the summer. Just before giving up the first goal, he was lucky to avoid a more severe penalty.
He made a mistake and had to draw back Jeremy Doku after advancing for a long delivery. Instead of being sent off, he was given a yellow card. According to former Gunner Ian Wright, Kepa’s error “has cost us” on Sky Sports.
Arteta has continued to have faith in the Spanish custodian despite the fact that he has made fewer than ten appearances this season. In a similar vein, City continued to use their backup custodian, choosing Trafford over Donnarumma. Arsenal have previously lost the Carabao Cup final four times in a row. In 2018, they lost to City.
