By DAILY MAIL SPORT REPORTERS
Published: 08:16 EDT, 23 March 2026 | Updated: 08:16 EDT, 23 March 2026
Mikel Arteta paid the price for his decision to start backup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, as the Spaniard’s costly error proved decisive in Manchester City's 2-0 victory at Wembley.
Kepa, who started ahead of established No 1 goalkeeper David Raya after featuring in all of Arsenal's Carabao Cup ties en route to the final, gifted City the lead when he fumbled a cross into the path of Nico O'Reilly for an easy finish, swinging the momentum of an otherwise closely fought contest.
His Carabao Cup final horror show follows similar struggles for Tottenham's backup goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky and Chelsea No 2 Filip Jorgensen, whose shaky performances in respective Champions League clashes against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain contributed to both clubs crashing out of the competition.
Arteta's decision to start Kepa in the final has been criticised heavily by pundits since Arsenal's disappointing 2-0 defeat, with Jamie Redknapp labelling the call a 'monumental error' and Gunners legend Ian Wright admitting it was a 'gamble'.
But what do Daily Mail Sport think? Ian Herbert, Nathan Salt, Chris Wheeler and James Sharpe share their views on Arteta's big Carabao Cup final decision.
Arsenal's No 2 Kepa Arrizabalaga made a costly error that decided the Carabao Cup final
He fumbled a cross to hand Nico O'Reilly a simple tap-in, gifting Manchester City the lead
Ian Herbert
Managers should pick their best goalkeeper for a final, no question. There’s some nonsensical talk about protecting the back-up man’s ego, but if you arrive at a club like Arsenal, or Manchester City, as reserve keeper, then you know what comes with the territory.
One game in six years, in the case of City’s Scott Carson – who took a salary of £40k-a-week to boot. Not so bad. Arsenal have lost so much momentum now. Madness.
Nathan Salt
The No 2 goalkeeper debate is a fascinating one where, in my opinion, context is key. In the case of Arsenal, who haven’t won a trophy in six years and your No 2 has a history of mistakes in finals, you owe supporters the best XI to end the trophy drought.
On the other side you had Man City with James Trafford, who Newcastle wanted to be their No 1 and both Chelsea and Tottenham would have as No 1 tomorrow, as Pep Guardiola looks to win a fifth League Cup. Context matters.
Chris Wheeler
Simple. You pick the player who gives you the best chance of winning the game, same as a defender, midfielder or forward. Kepa understands the pecking order. This is the same guy who refused to be substituted by his Chelsea No 2 Willy Caballero in the 2019 Carabao Cup final.
That said, any keeper can make a mistake. Arteta could have played Raya and he might have messed up. No-one is criticising Guardiola for playing Trafford. The end justifies the means.
Roberto Mancini dumped Costel Pantilimon for Joe Hart and lost the 2013 FA Cup final. Jose Mourinho stuck with Sergio Romero and won the 2017 Europa League final. How might the course of history changed had Sir Alex Ferguson resisted the temptation to replace Jim Leighton with Les Sealey?
Managers are paid to win games, not massage egos.
Mikel Arteta paid the price for showing loyalty to Kepa rather than starting No 1 David Raya
James Sharpe
I have no issue with Mikel Arteta starting Kepa. He was good enough to get them to the final and if it was so important for Arsenal to get their hands on this trophy then why not play David Raya in the two-legged semi-final against Chelsea? Or the quarter-final? Or the first round?
Pep Guardiola is fighting for fewer trophies but had no problem starting James Trafford, a goalkeeper who has proven himself to have a mistake or two in him.
I was surprised Arteta did it, though, when so much of this season’s bid to win four – now three – trophies has come courtesy of a willingness to be ruthless and sacrifice certain things, like style, to succeed.