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Mikel Arteta has defended Kepa Arrizabalaga after his error in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City, insisting he does not regret starting his no2 goalkeeper.
Kepa was named in goal in every previous round in the competition ahead of Sunday’s final at Wembley with Arteta rewarding him with a place in the starting XI against Pep Guardiola’s side.
The Man City boss did likewise with James Trafford ahead of regular no1 Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It meant David Raya was named among the subs despite the former Brentford star being one of Arsenal’s best players this season.
After a tight first-half, Kepa was at fault for Nico O’Reilly’s first goal on the hour mark, dropping a cross into the path of the 21-year-old who nodded home from close range.
It followed an unconvincing start to the second-half from the former Chelsea goalkeeper who had the ball at his feet in his own box for 36 seconds before finding a teammate at one point.
In his post-match press conference, Arteta stressed it would have been ‘unfair’ to drop Kepa given his role in Arsenal’s run to the final.
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‘I understand that but I have to do what I feel is right,’ Arteta said. ‘He has played all the competition and I think it would have been very unfair.’
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Arteta doubled down on his decision, insisting he would ‘do it again’ after labelling Kepa a ‘phenomenal player’ for his team.
Arsenal 0-2 Man City - Metro at the Match
Manchester City have secured the first silverware of the season after Arsenal failed to deliver at Wembley.
The quadruple dream is over and the Gunners must now pick up the pieces after a sobering setback.
For City, it has breathed life into their campaign after a dismal Champions League exit this week.
Kepa gamble backfires spectacularly
Mikel Arteta decided to keep faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga after starting the Spaniard in each round of the competition leading up to the final at Wembley today.
Pep Guardiola did likewise with James Trafford, but it was Arsenal who paid the price for dropping one of their best players. From the moment the second-half kicked off, Kepa dallied on the ball, inviting the pressure that would inevitably swarm all over the Gunners and trigger their downfall.
Raya has been spectacular this season, the best goalkeeper in the Premier League by some margin and in sublime form. Had he started, Sunday may have been a very different story.
Old Arsenal fears reignited
We have seen Arsenal collapse in the past. Past failures have so often been used as a stick to beat them with but things have felt different this season.
Victory today would have gone some way in erasing the lingering fears over another derailment . But defeat at Wembley could serve as a catalyst for something much bleaker.
Arsenal are still fighting on three fronts, in control of the Premier League title race and well-placed to continue marching on in Europe. But the effects of today could be season-altering. The woeful second-half showing was as bad as anything served up by them this term on the stage where they needed to be their best.
O'Reilly steps up
City needed a hero at Wembley and they found a home-grown one. With Phil Foden only coming on as an injury time substitute, left-back O'Reilly stepped up as City's savour with two headers to save their season.
City were fantastic in the second period to a man and fed off Arsenal's apprehension but it was the 21-year-old set the standard when they needed inspiration.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor
‘I would do it again because he deserves to play this game. He has been phenomenal for us. Errors are part of football and anyone can make them.’
Jamie Redknapp, on punditry duty for ITV and Sky Sports, described the decision as a ‘monumental error’ from Arteta.
‘Kepa is not as good as (David) Raya, that’s why he is number two,’ he said.
‘Why in a major cup final when you are trying to get across the line and haven’t won a trophy in so long do you decide to play him?
‘You have to take responsibility for that, that is a monumental error. He is not a bad goalkeeper, but he’s not as good as Raya. That has backfired big time.’
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