Arteta is known for his ruthlessness but, by choosing to stick with Cup goalkeeper Kepa for the Carabao Cup final, he showed a rare glimpse of his sentimental side, especially as Arsenal have not won a major trophy since 2020.
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Kepa’s mistake, when he let Rayan Cherki’s cross slip through his fingers, allowed Nico O’Reilly to put Manchester City ahead. And Pep Guardiola’s side never looked back as O’Reilly headed in again just four minutes later to seal the victory.
Arteta’s decision to play Kepa instead of first choice David Raya was further highlighted due to the performance of City’s cup-winning goalkeeper James Trafford.
Trafford re-signed during the summer to be City’s number one before Gianluigi Donnarumma became available and the club moved to sign him from Paris St-Germain, meaning Trafford became second choice.
Trafford made an excellent triple save early in the game, when he twice denied Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, to keep the score level.
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He continued to keep a clean sheet, while questions over Kepa’s selection will dominate the headlines.
Former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I never understand why managers use their second-choice goalkeepers in cup finals.
“You’re trying to win a trophy, why wouldn’t you play your number one to give yourself the best possible chance? That’s common sense.”
Why Arteta continued playing Kepa
It did not cross Arteta’s mind not to play against Kepa in the final.
The Arsenal boss said it would have been “very unfair” if he had not kept the Spain international, who played in every round of the cup competition before the final, and said he accepts the scrutiny that comes his way.
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“I understand it, but I have to do what I think is right, honest and fair,” Arteta said.
“And I think we have an understanding goalkeeper like Kepa: he has played the whole competition and I think it would have been very, very unfair for him and for the team to do something different.”
The former Chelsea goalkeeper signed for the Gunners in the summer to compete with starter David Raya.
Raya has 15 clean sheets in the Premier League, the most in the division, and has made some notable saves this campaign as Arsenal look to end their wait for a trophy.
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And Arteta says that despite Kepa’s limited playing time this season, he did not guarantee the goalkeeper would play in Arsenal’s cup games.
“I can never promise a player that he will play certain competitions, because in the end he has to earn it and he has to do enough as in any other position,” he said.
“We are guided by what we have seen and what he has done in the competition, and he helped us get here.
“I think it’s the right thing to do and that’s all. Mistakes are part of football and today, unfortunately, it happened at a crucial moment.”
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The EFL Cup brings back bad memories for Kepa Arrizabalaga. The goalkeeper has already lost the three finals he has played in the competition.
When playing for Chelsea in 2019, he refused to be substituted as the match headed to penalties, in 2022 he hit his penalty over the crossbar when Chelsea lost to Liverpool on penalties, and his mistake in this year’s final gave City the lead.
“Today I would never have started with Kepa,” European football expert Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“In a final like this, at this point in Arsenal’s project, there is no time for feelings. Your best team has to play. Kepa instead of David Raya for me was the wrong decision.
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“I know it’s hard, but I think Arteta and his players will learn a lot from today because those finals are won through decisions made, not only on the field but at halftime.”
Kepa was booked before conceding the first goal, when he misjudged a clearance and pushed winger Jeremy Doku back as he looked to score.
“Mikel Arteta had no business playing with him,” former England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart told BBC Sport.
“That is a decision made by a coach who is potentially going to win a lot this season. So he played against Kepa because he thinks he is ready.
“But I will always say it: never feel sorry for a goalkeeper. That is the life he has chosen.
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“And again he was flawless for most of the game. But in that big moment he’ll obviously have something to reflect on.”
A crucial moment for Trafford
After re-signing for the club where he began his career for £30m in the summer, Trafford was hoping to be City’s number one.
But since Donnarumma’s arrival, the England under-21 international has had to make do with domestic cup appearances and a rare chance in the Champions League.
Trafford has said that this season “has not been easy at all”, as he finds himself as second option.
But his performance during the victory over Arsenal could be a pivotal moment in his career.
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“Obviously they were great saves because they happened pretty early in the game, but I can’t really remember them because they were pretty quick,” Trafford said.
“I’m happy to play my part in this, and then Nico (O’Reilly) scored two, which is brilliant of him.”
“This moment means a lot to me. Four or five years ago, when (City) beat Spurs to win it, I think I was fourth or fifth choice, and I always imagined that one day I would win.”
Guardiola confirmed before the game that Trafford would start, and Trafford says it “means a lot” to have his manager’s backing.
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“It’s a testament to how I believed in myself and how I acted in training, when I was called up for club games. Every time I play, I do the best I can,” he added.