Home EFL CUP EFL: Arteta Defends Kepa Selection Amidst League Cup Blunder

EFL: Arteta Defends Kepa Selection Amidst League Cup Blunder

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Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa Arrizabalaga in the League Cup final

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta stands by decision to start Kepa in League Cup final. Kepa's mistake sparks debate on Arteta's lineup choice in League Cup final.


Arteta defends Kepa Arrizabalaga selection after League Cup final blunder...


Mikel Arteta is standing by his decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal for Arsenal's EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City, despite the goalkeeper's costly mistake. Kepa let a Rayan Cherki cross slip through his fingers, allowing Nico O'Reilly to score City's opener.


Arteta explained that Kepa had played every game in the competition and it would've been unfair to bench him. “Errors are part of football, and unfortunately, it happened today at a crucial moment,” Arteta said. He's taking the blame for the loss, but also praised Kepa's performance throughout the tournament.


Arsenal's hopes of ending their trophy drought were dashed as they lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. The Gunners were unable to recover from a defensive mistake by Kepa Arrizabalaga, which allowed Nico O'Reilly to score, and O'Reilly struck again four minutes later to seal the win for City.


Mikel Arteta's decision to stick with Kepa, who had played in all of Arsenal's League Cup ties this season, backfired, and the team remains without a major trophy since 2020. Arteta defended his decision, saying it would have been unfair to Kepa and the team to bench him.


Kepa Arrizabalaga's nightmare in League Cup finals continued, bringing back memories of his infamous 2019 refusal to be substituted by Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri before a penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester City. That wasn't his only penalty shoot-out stumble - he also missed a penalty in a shoot-out loss to Liverpool three years later.


Mikel Arteta's decision to start Kepa in the League Cup final backfired, with the goalkeeper letting a cross slip through his fingers, gifting Nico O'Reilly the chance to score City's opener. This wasn't just any mistake - it was a pivotal moment in Arsenal's 2-0 loss to Manchester City at Wembley.


Asked about the criticism of his decision, Arteta said: “I understand, but I have to do what is right and fair.


“Kepa had played all the competition, I think it would have been unfair to him and the team to do something different.


“He had gone all the way through this competition. Errors are part of football, and unfortunately, it happened today at a crucial moment.”


Arsenal's hopes of lifting the League Cup were dashed as Manchester City secured a 2-0 win at Wembley, thanks to Nico O'Reilly's second-half double. The Gunners, who were nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, failed to rise to the occasion, adopting a too-conservative approach for long periods of the match.




This painful defeat means Arsenal remain without a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, dealing a blow to their quadruple bid. Mikel Arteta's side had been on a roll, but City's victory marked a reality check, showcasing their strength and resilience


“Very sad, very hard one to take. We know how much it means and how much we wanted it. The fact we haven't delivered that is disappointing and leaves a bad taste,” Arteta said.


“First half, we were the better team and had the biggest chance of the game; if we scored that, it would have changed the game.


“In the first 20 minutes of the second half, we weren't at our best. We struggled to get out of our block and conceded the goal in an unexpected manner, obviously.


“You have to give credit to the opposition. They raised their level and capitalised on their moments. We didn't.”



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