Mikel Arteta has been criticized in England for his decision to select Kepa Arrizabalaga as starting goalkeeper in Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Josep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The Spanish goalkeeper, chosen ahead of David Raya, made a mistake in Nico O’Reilly’s opening goal at Wembley.
I’m not saying Kepa Arrizabalaga is a bad goalkeeper, but he’s not as good a goalkeeper as Raya, so this decision was a big mistake.
Mikel Arteta faces harsh criticism in England for starting Kepa instead of Raya in the Carabao Cup final
Jamie Redknapp has suggested on Sky Sports that it was a mistake to play against Kepa Arrizabalaga and Mikel Arteta should take responsibility.
Kepa is not as good as Raya, so he is the second goalkeeper. you have to take responsibility. that’s a big mistake
“I know some people are sentimental because he played in the earlier rounds, but Kepa is not as good as Raya, which is why he is the second-choice goalkeeper. So why did they decide to line him up in an important final for the title, when they haven’t won a trophy for so long? We have to take responsibility. It’s a big mistake,” Redknapp said.
“I’m not saying Kepa Arrizabalaga is a bad goalkeeper, but he’s not as good a goalkeeper as Raya and this decision was a big mistake,” the former footballer claimed.
Former Manchester City player Mika Richards supported: “The difference between Raya and Kepa is so big that in important games you think, ‘I have to pick Raya’. Look, we can talk about it later, but in the end we talk about it because it cost Arsenal a game.”
I made the decision before the game for Kepa to start based on his performances throughout the season. It would have been very unfair to choose another player.
“They pressed and the City fans could smell the blood behind that (Arsenal) goal,” former footballer Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.
“It was a howl from the goalkeeper (Kepa Arrizabalaga), a howl at a crucial moment, but one blow after another and O’Reilly took the chance,” said the former Manchester United man.
Mikel Arteta: “I have to do what I think is right, what is honest and fair. I think Kepa and I understand each other.”
Mikel Arteta has defended the selection of Kepa Arrizabalaga, saying he has earned the chance to start at Wembley after appearing in all previous Carabao Cup matches.
“Mistakes are part of football and today, unfortunately, they happened at a crucial moment,” the Spanish coach said, adding that it was “very unfair” for Raya to start against City.
“We made the decision before the game to start Kepa based on his performances throughout the season, the fact that he has played in the competition and helped us get to where we are today. It would have been very unfair to pick any other player,” he said.
Mikel Arteta stressed: “I have to do what I think is right, what is honest and fair. I think Kepa and I understand each other.”
“He played the whole tournament. I think it would have been very, very unfair for him and for the team to do something different…We were guided by what we’ve seen so far, what he’s done, what he’s done in the tournament and helped us get here. I think it’s the right thing to do,” he explained.
