Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists that it would have been « unfair » not to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final over first-choice David Raya, despite his high-profile error. Usual deputy Kepa was given the nod over Raya, having played every round of the competition before taking on Manchester City at Wembley.
But the decision did not prove fruitful, as Kepa was first caught out when he misjudged a long ball and then fouled Jeremy Doku, narrowly avoiding a red card. But minutes later he was sorely punished, having failed to hold onto a speculative Rayan Cherki cross that landed at the grateful feet of Nico O’Reilly to score.
That error turned the final in City’s favour and O’Reilly added his and City’s second just four minutes later to spark celebrations that will go on long into the night.
But Arteta has no regrets about leaving one of the world’s finest goalkeepers on the bench for Kepa.
« I understand but I have to do what I think is right which is honest and fair, » Arteta told Sky Sports when asked about his goalkeepers. « Kepa is an outstanding keeper, and it would’ve been very unfair on him to do something different.
« I can never promise a player to play certain competitions, they have to earn it and do enough.
« We are guided by what we see. What he’s done in the competition, and how he helped us to get us to the final, I believe it was the right thing to do. Errors are part of football, and unfortunately it happened in a crucial moment. »
At full-time, Kepa was immediately consoled by both sets of goalkeepers as they tried to keep his spirits high following the howler.
Raya went out of his way to speak to his league understudy, before James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma from City made sure to seek Kepa out and give him words of encouragement.
City also stuck with their No. 2, Trafford, who kept a clean sheet in the final.
But the decision to stick with Kepa has been criticised, with Jamie Redknapp saying: « Kepa is not as good as Raya, that’s why he’s your No 2. So why in a major final, when you’re trying to get across the line, you’ve not won a trophy in so long, do you decide to play him.
« You have to take responsibility for that, that’s a monumental error. I’m not saying he’s a bad goalkeeper, but he’s not as good as Raya. You can turn around and say Trafford isn’t your No.1 either, but he made three big saves and then he was hardly tested. »
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