Mikel Arteta has declared his readiness to reinstate goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to the Arsenal starting lineup for this weekend's crucial FA Cup quarter-final encounter with Southampton. This decision comes despite the Spaniard's costly error in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City a fortnight ago.
Kepa's Costly Mistake at Wembley
In Arsenal's 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Kepa gifted the opposition their opening goal with a significant blunder. The 31-year-old goalkeeper, who has not featured in the Premier League this season, has been limited to cup competitions and a Champions League dead rubber against Kairat.
Arteta's Unwavering Support
Despite this high-profile error, Arteta appears set to maintain faith in the former Chelsea shot-stopper for the Gunners' visit to St Mary's Stadium on Saturday evening. Kepa has been an ever-present in Arsenal's FA Cup campaign thus far, playing every minute.
"He is ready to play," Arteta asserted. "I'm never going to judge a player or make a decision because he has made an error. Attitude, behaviour, yes, 100 per cent, but an error is part of football, and anybody can do it."
The Arsenal manager revealed that Kepa has received considerable support from the entire club following his Wembley disappointment. "I don't know if he needed it (an arm around the shoulder), but he has had it. Just in case. From all of them. From his team-mates first, then myself, all the staff, and hopefully all our supporters."
Arteta expressed confidence in Kepa's resilience, noting: "I don't think he needed it because he's got so much experience, and he's been through all kinds of different scenarios in his career, so he's more than ready to play."
Arsenal's Season at a Critical Juncture
The Carabao Cup final defeat dashed Arsenal's hopes of a historic quadruple, raising serious questions about the team's big-game mentality. The loss also extended Arteta's wait for his first trophy in nearly six years.
Nevertheless, Arsenal remain nine points clear in the Premier League title race and face Championship side Southampton with a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at stake. The Gunners also travel to Sporting Lisbon next week for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Using Disappointment as Fuel
Reflecting on the Carabao Cup final defeat, Arteta described the experience as "like a ball of poison that you have in your tummy." He emphasized the importance of processing the disappointment constructively: "Take that out as quick as possible, and how can I use that to make myself better, to make the team better?"
The Spaniard acknowledged the lasting impact of such setbacks: "It's not going to go in the next 30 years because when you have the opportunity to win a final in Wembley, you have to get it done. So that has to stay there. And that's part of who you're going to be in the next few weeks, in the next few months, in the next few years."
Arteta revealed his squad's determined response: "That has been the mindset and the only work that we have done in the last few days, to use that as fuel, as tools, to be able to get the final push that we want and achieve what we want. And immediately, I could sense that (from the players). It will make us better and now we have to use it for the most important and beautiful part of the season."
