Mikel Arteta's decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final has been labelled a 'monumental error' by pundits after the goalkeeper's mistake gifted Manchester City a 2-0 victory. Kepa spilled a routine catch from a cross on the hour mark, allowing Nico O'Reilly to score from close range. O'Reilly added a second four minutes later to seal the result.
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp criticised Arteta for choosing Kepa over David Raya, saying: 'I know people will say it's sentiment and he played in the earlier rounds, but Kepa is not as good as Raya. That's why he is the number two.' Redknapp added: 'You have to take responsibility for that. That is a monumental error.'
Ian Wright agreed, stating that Arteta's 'gamble didn't pay off'. Wright said: 'It was the fashion of the mistake that makes you think that's a number two. It's something you wouldn't see a number one goalkeeper make.'
Arteta defended his selection, saying: 'I can never promise a player to play certain competitions, they have to earn it. What he's done in the competition, and how he helped us get to the final, I believe it was the right thing to do. Errors are part of football.'
The defeat means Arsenal remain without a trophy since 2020, though they lead the Premier League by nine points. The two sides meet again at the Etihad on 19 April.
