Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
David Raya was left out of the Carabao Cup final team with Kepa Arrizabalaga starting for Arsenal against Man City instead (Picture: Getty)
Jens Lehmann has sent an emphatic message to Mikel Arteta over which of his two Spain international goalkeepers should start Arsenal’s next match against Southampton.
The Gunners saw their hopes of landing an unprecedented quadruple go up in smoke on Sunday when they were comprehensively beaten by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Arteta will now have two weeks to ponder on the decisions he made that led to his side delivering one of their most insipid performances of a campaign that could yet end in glory.
While he was far from solely responsible for the defeat, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s error gifted City their opening goal and handed them an advantage they never once looked like relinquishing.
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid shot stopper had previously proven an able deputy to David Raya throughout Arsenal’s runs in the domestic cup competitions but he appeared to freeze on the big occasion.
Raya’s comfort in possession was badly missed as Arsenal struggled to build from the back and were easily penned in by a four-pronged City press that squeezed the life out their opponents.
Arsenal aren’t back in action until April 4 when they visit Southampton for an FA Cup quarter-final tie and it will be intriguing to see whether or not Arteta sticks or twists.
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Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
Kepa Arrizabalaga was badly at fault for Man City’s first goal against Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
In his post-match press conference following the Wembley disappointment, Arteta hinted he strongly retained his faith in Kepa and Lehmann sees no reason why he should axe his designated cup keeper after one error.
He told The Sun: ‘Why not stick with him? Kepa is a good keeper and he’s up for the cup games,’ said Lehmann, who was Arsenal’s man between the posts the last time they won the Premier League 22 years ago.
‘You should give him playing time because something could happen to Raya and then you need a good backup on the bench who is full of confidence and knows he has the trust of his manager.’
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 campaign after a dismal Champions League exit this week.
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 trigger 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.
FBL-ENG-LCUP-ARSENAL-MAN CITY
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 term 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
The rivalry and competition between Raya and Kepa is nowhere near as fierce and hostile as it was when Lehmann was battling it out for supremacy over his understudy Manuel Almuina during Arsene Wenger’s reign.
Back then Lehmann, infamously, refused to talk to his colleague after he had been usurped following a series of sub-par performances, but he hopes Kepa is getting the support he needs amid a wave of criticism.
‘Kepa bought them to the final, he’s a good keeper,’ he said.
‘He made one mistake which speaks for him, he tried to catch the ball which is something I like, but apart from that he had a good game.
Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers - Premier League
Jen Lehmann and Manuel Almunia battle it out to be Arsenal No.1 between 2005 and 2008 (Picture: Getty)
‘He made one mistake, it happens, but Arsenal didn’t score which was a disappointment.’
Raya’s form, meanwhile, has been so impressive that it lead Thierry Henry to back him to be the player of the season following another stellar display against Bayer Leverkusen last week.
‘It’s hard for me to say how good he is because you’re talking to a keeper who was very consistent,’ said Lehmann when asked to assess the former Brentford star.
‘I could talk a lot about goalkeepers, but I hope he has a fantastic end to the season because Arsenal should win something this season.
‘Hopefully all three titles that are up for grabs!’
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