Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to start Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of first-choice goalkeeper David Raya for Sunday's 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, but the call backfired
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the Carabao Cup final
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the Carabao Cup final(Image: Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta did not make a mistake by starting Kepa Arrizabalaga and that wasn't the only reason why Arsenal lost against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. That's the view of ex-Gunners right-back Bacary Sagna, who has defended Arteta by saying he made the right call to pick Kepa ahead of David Raya in goal.
Kepa, 31, who had started in each of Arsenal's five previous Carabao Cup ties this season, was given the nod once again for the final against City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. But the Spaniard made a calamitous error leading to City taking the lead on the hour mark, as he allowed a simple cross to squirm through his palms before Nico O'Reilly pounced to head home from close-range.
There was nothing Kepa could have done for City's second in the 64th minute, as O'Reilly was there once again to power home a header and give Pep Guardiola's side a two-goal advantage.
Arsenal huffed and puffed to get back into the contest but City stood firm to run out 2-0 winners and lift the Carabao Cup for the fifth time in eight years.
Arteta's decision to select Kepa ahead of Raya was criticised by some post-match, including Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp, who felt he should have gone for his first-choice goalkeeper.
But now, Sagna has jumped to Arteta's defence and felt starting Kepa was the right call. The former Arsenal and City defender also claimed the Gunners should have 'played dirty' throughout instead.
Kepa Arrizabalaga during the 2026 Carabao Cup final
Arsenal's decision to pick Kepa Arrizabalaga at Wembley has come under scrutiny(Image: MDI/Shutterstock)
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Speaking to Covers, Sagna said: "Mikel Arteta did not make a mistake by starting Kepa in goal instead of David Raya. Kepa is a top goalkeeper and while his mistake cost Arsenal a goal, it wasn’t the only reason why the Gunners lost the game.
"Arsenal started to sit back in the second half and they invited pressure from Manchester City. They must learn to play dirty and send the ball long to relieve some pressure and position a higher block, rather than in their own box.
"Whenever they got the ball, they were adamant in playing from the back and they were punished for it.
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"If Kai Havertz had scored his early chance in the game, it could’ve been a completely different result.
"He needed to shoot a bit earlier in order to have more of the goal to aim at, but James Trafford produced a set of great saves - he deserves a lot of praise for his performance."
Next up for Arteta and Arsenal is an FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton after the international break. They then make the trip to Sporting CP in the Champions League before hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League.
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