There are decisions that define games. Then there are decisions that define conversations. Mikel Arteta’s call to start Kepa Arrizabalaga sits somewhere between the two. Not quite the reason Arsenal lost, but impossible to ignore in the aftermath.
That is the dilemma.
Because if you strip away the noise, the reaction, the clips circulating across social media, you are left with two truths that can coexist.
You would start David Raya.
And you understand why Arteta did not.
The logic behind the decision
Kepa played every round of the competition. He earned the final. Arteta rewarded that trust.
That is not revolutionary. It is consistent. It is what elite managers often do in cup competitions.
Liverpool did it with Caoimhin Kelleher. They lost a final and still left with a goalkeeper praised for his performance rather than questioned for his inclusion.
Context shapes narrative.
Kepa does not benefit from that same context. His history follows him. His moments linger longer. One mistake becomes part of a wider story.
Kepa Arrizabalaga in League Cup finals:
2019: Refused to be substituted off with the game heading to penalties
2022: Blasted his penalty over as Chelsea lost 11-10 to Liverpool on spot kicks
2026: Let the ball slip out of his hands as Nico O'Reilly gave Manchester City the lead pic.twitter.com/qvgNcpWmNz
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 22, 2026
Meanwhile, Raya exists as the obvious alternative. Arsenal’s number one continues to produce high-level performances, particularly in possession and control, something explored in greater depth when analysing his numbers this season.
Which brings the debate back full circle.
Correct decision or correct process?
The bigger issue Arsenal faced
Focusing solely on Kepa risks missing the wider picture.
Arsenal did not lose this final because of one moment. They lost because Manchester City adapted better, executed better, and controlled the game when it mattered.
Pep Guardiola, alongside his staff, delivered a tactical masterclass.
City disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm. They altered their pressing structure. They managed transitions with precision. Arsenal created moments, with Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka both testing James Trafford, but they never imposed themselves.
The full picture of the performance reflects that balance across the pitch.
This was not chaos. It was control. And it belonged to City.
Where responsibility actually lies
Kepa will carry the headline moment. That is the nature of goalkeepers.
But responsibility rarely sits in isolation.
Arsenal lacked sustained control in midfield. They struggled to dictate tempo. They reacted more than they imposed. That allowed City to shape the game in their image.
Arteta did not get everything wrong.
Guardiola simply got more right.
“He’s played every game in the competition, he’s been excellent for us.”
Mikel Arteta speaks with @AnitaNnekaJones on his decision to go with Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup Final 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/CDXBA4i7dT
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 22, 2026
What this means moving forward
The frustration is real. The questions are fair. The debate will continue.
Yet the timing offers something valuable.
Arsenal face Manchester City again in the league next month. This time, the stakes shift. The lessons from this defeat become tools rather than regrets.
Arteta now understands the adjustments City made. He has seen the solutions. He has felt the impact.
And in elite football, that knowledge matters.
The final word
This is not about defending a decision.
It is about understanding it.
Arteta chose trust. He chose consistency. He chose to reward performance within the competition.
You might disagree with that choice.
You cannot dismiss the reasoning.
Because Arsenal’s problem on this occasion was not just who stood in goal.
It was who controlled the game.