Ian Wright didn't pull any punches following Arsenal's defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
19:02, 22 Mar 2026Updated 19:10, 22 Mar 2026
Ian Wright and Mark Chapman speak presenting prior to the Carabao Cup Final match Arsenal and between Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England
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Ian Wright was disappointed with Arsenal's performance in the Carabao Cup final(Image: Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Ian Wright has slammed Mikel Arteta's decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final. The 31-year-old goalkeeper made a couple of grave mistakes during Arsenal's defeat to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
Nico O'Reilly broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Kepa spilled a cross in the six-yard box. The 21-year-old defender doubled his side's lead a few moments later, scoring another header from close range.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Wright claimed the Spain international 'handed' Manchester City the trophy. The Gunners legend said: "Man City went into a 4-2-4, they pressed us high, we knocked it long, we couldn't hold it.
"We didn't have any midfielders - Zubimendi's numbers will be interesting to see, I don't think he held onto the ball. We couldn't get on it [the ball] to get our team playing, we couldn't get out. It all just fell in ourselves.
"The goalkeeper's mistake handed it to them a bit. It's a very disappointing one. We've got to front up and say 'OK, we'll go again', but it was a poor performance for me."
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Wright later added: "Everyone's been knocking City this season, they've not been quite the same, but what they've shown again in a final is what they're capable of doing.
"They win big games. They controlled it but we made it too easy for them to control it. Too many people had bad games for us. The fact is it's a final and a mistake from the second goalkeeper has cost us.
"They scored soon after that and we lost our way in the game before we could get the subs on."
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