Arguably the best Chelsea goalkeeper in the Premier League, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been recognized for some of his efforts in the AFC Bournemouth goal by winning the league’s Save of the Month award for February.
Incidentally, Bournemouth would end up losing this match after going down to ten in the first half, but Kepa did his level best to stave off defeat by making this excellent reaction save early on.
(And the Cherries would get their revenge just a week later, in the FA Cup, by eliminating Wolves on penalties. Kepa had some shaky moments in that one — being beaten by a 30-yard strike, natch — but was the winner in the shootout when a shot rebounded off the crossbar right onto his back, but somehow didn’t bounce into the net!)
Kepa’s been nailed on as first-choice for Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth the whole season — exhibiting all his usual strengths and weaknesses — but it still seems unlikely that the high-flying Cherries would make his loan permanent at the end of the season.
Anyway, congrats, Kepa!
(Meanwhile, Kaoru Mitoma’s goal against us in the league was voted Goal of the Month. It really should’ve just won Touch of the Month.)
A sublime touch followed up with a stunning finish
Everything about Kaoru Mitoma’s Guinness Goal of the Month strike is special pic.twitter.com/C8PPOQNdFf
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 14, 2025