Kepa Arrizabalaga’s costly error in the 2026 Carabao Cup final has seen Arsenal highlight how selection promises can cause “real problems”. The Gunners goalkeeper quite literally dropped a clanger against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, having been assured of his League Cup spot by Mikel Arteta. Respect has been retained at Emirates Stadium, but did that come at the cost of a major trophy?
Manchester City beat Arsenal in the first final of the English football season, with Pep Guardiola schooling former apprentice Mikel Arteta to secure the Carabao Cup at Wembley on Sunday. The contest was decided by two second-half goals from Nico O’Reilly, who twice crept into the Gunners’ box effectively unmarked to score from a pair of almost identical crosses.
Mikel Arteta has found himself under intense scrutiny following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners manager opted to start deputy goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga over undisputed number one David Raya, a decision that proved costly when the Spaniard's error handed City the lead in the game.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has vigorously defended his decision to start goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga instead of David Raya following a bitter 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. The Spanish manager insisted he had to reward the shot-stopper for his earlier cup appearances, despite a costly error that handed Nico O'Reilly the opening goal.
Arsenal's six-year wait for a trophy will go on for at least a few months more after they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. The Gunners had been tipped to win an unprecedented quadruple, but they fell short in their first attempt to claim some silverware this season, with Mikel Arteta being defeated by mentor Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga has revealed the secret behind his shootout heroics following the Gunners' Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. The Spaniard was the star man as the north London side secured their spot in the semi-finals of the competition, setting up a final-four showdown with former side Chelsea.
Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was the unlikely hero on Tuesday night as the Gunners sneaked past Crystal Palace and into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after a penalty shoot-out. The Gunners went ahead late on thanks to a Maxence Lacroix own goal but were pegged back in stoppage time by Marc Guehi's equaliser. The game finished 1-1 then went to penalties with Kepa saving from Lacroix as Arsenal won 8-7 on spot kicks.
Arsenal are reported to have stepped up their interest in Borussia Dortmund-owned goalkeeper Diant Ramaj - who is currently on loan at Heidenheim. It is claimed that the Gunners have sent several scouting missions to Germany. David Raya remains No.1 at Emirates Stadium, with Kepa Arrizabalaga filling back-up duties, but further additions between the sticks are being considered.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
