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Did Mikel Arteta make a mistake in his team selection? (Picture: Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has been accused of making a ‘monumental error’ with his team selection as Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Nico O’Reilly was the hero for City as he scored both goals at Wembley in a match which Pep Guardiola’s side dominated against an under-par Arsenal.
The Gunners were not helped by their goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who produced a nightmare error to hand O’Reilly his opener.
The Spaniard let a cross slip through his hands and the Englishman was quickest to react as he nodded the ball across the line.
There was some debate over who would start in goal for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, with David Raya the first choice ‘keeper, but Arrizabalaga taking the role of ‘cup goalkeeper’ this season.
The former Chelsea stopper has played in the League Cup and FA Cup contests this season for the Gunners, but Jamie Redknapp reckons it was a ‘monumental error’ to leave him in the side at Wembley.
‘I know people will say it’s sentiment and he played in the earlier rounds, but Kepa is not as good as Raya. That’s why he is the number two,’ Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
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‘So why, in a major cup final when you’re trying to get across the line and you’ve not 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’s not a bad goalkeeper – he isn’t not as good as Raya. It has come back and backfired big time.
‘That’s not me being wise after the event, I said it before the game.’
Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
Kepa Arrizabalaga got two hands to the ball but could not stop it (Picture: Getty Images)
Manchester City also fielded their second choice goalkeeper in James Trafford, which Redknapp admitted, saying is a counter-argument, saying: ‘You could turn round and say Trafford is not the number one either. But he didn’t even get tested. Three really good saves, but after that he hardly had to touch the ball, it was easy for him.’
Former City defender Micah Richards pointed out that Trafford was viewed as number one before the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
‘Trafford was brought in as a number one, he was ready,’ said Richards. ‘It was just that Donnarumma came on the market. The difference between Kepa and Raya is so big, so in a big game you’ve got to go with Raya.’
Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
James Trafford made a trio of good saves early on (Picture: Getty Images)
Arsenal legend Ian Wright admitted it was a gamble from Arteta and the goalkeeper may well have cost his former side the game.
‘The gamble didn’t pay off,’ he said. It was the fashion of the mistake that makes you think “that’s a No2”.
‘It’s something you wouldn’t see a No1 goalkeeper make and it’s unfortunate because it’s the turning point.
‘If we don’t concede that goal and we get the subs on, we might get into the game a bit.’
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 season after a dismal Champions League exit this week with a new hero emerging.
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 spark 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.
Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
Arsenal still have plenty left to fight for (Picture: Getty)
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.
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Arteta got his biggest decision on the day wrong (Picture: Getty)
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 season 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
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