Arsenal face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final
Arsenal Football Newsletter
The Spaniard has played in every round of the competition so far and Mikel Arteta has decided to keep faith with him at Wembley.
It is a bold call from Arteta to start Kepa ahead of David Raya, who has been in brilliant from.
Arteta confirmed in his press conference on Friday that he had decided who would play in goal but declined to say publicly.
David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga in training ahead of the Carabao Cup final
But the Arsenal boss was keen to emphasise the idea that there would not be a major drop-off in quality if Kepa did start.
"With the quality of the keepers that we have right now, they are both Internationals, they play at the highest level, higher clubs and they have the experience to deal with any kind of situation," said Arteta.
Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard are both set to return.
Odegaard has been out for a month with a knee injury, while Jurrien Timber missed the midweek Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.
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But both players trained on Saturday.
Arteta said on Friday: "We have another training session tomorrow so the ones that are in contention, hopefully they can give us good news. Let's see if they can make it.”
Odegaard is unlikely to start, but Timber could come straight back into the starting line-up. He has been named in the Netherlands squad for the upcoming international break.
Up front, Viktor Gyokeres impressed against Leverkusen on Tuesday but Kai Havertz is now fully fit and an option to lead the line.
Gyokeres could be a threat off the bench as space opens up late in the match, with Havertz potentially the man to start from the off.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Havertz
Doubts: Timber, Odegaard
Injured: Merino
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date and time: 4.30pm GMT on Sunday, March 22, 2026
How to watch: Sky Sports and ITV