Mikel Arteta has been accused of constructing a ‘monumental error’ together with his team selection as Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City within the Carabao Cup final.
Nico O’Reilly was the hero for City as he scored each goals at Wembley in a match which Pep Guardiola’s side dominated against an under-par Arsenal.
The Gunners weren’t helped by their goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who produced a nightmare error at hand O’Reilly his opener.
The Spaniard let a cross slip through his hands and the Englishman was quickest to react as he nodded the ball across the road.
There was some debate over who would start in goal for Arsenal within the Carabao Cup final, with David Raya the primary alternative ‘keeper, but Arrizabalaga taking the role of ‘cup goalkeeper’ this season.
The previous Chelsea stopper has played within the League Cup and FA Cup contests this season for the Gunners, but Jamie Redknapp reckons it was a ‘monumental error’ to depart him within the side at Wembley.
‘I do know people will say it’s sentiment and he played in the sooner rounds, but Kepa is just not nearly as good as Raya. That’s why he’s the number two,’ Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
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‘So why, in a serious cup final if you’re attempting to get across the road and also you’ve not won a trophy in so long, do you choose to play him? You have got to take responsibility for that. That may be a monumental error.
‘He’s not a foul goalkeeper – he isn’t not nearly as good as Raya. It has come back and backfired big time.
‘That’s not me being clever after the event, I said it before the sport.’
Manchester City also fielded their second alternative goalkeeper in James Trafford, which Redknapp admitted, saying is a counter-argument, saying: ‘You may turn round and say Trafford is just not the primary either. But he didn’t even get tested. Three really good saves, but after that he hardly had to the touch the ball, it was easy for him.’
Former City defender Micah Richards identified that Trafford was viewed as primary before the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
‘Trafford was brought in as a primary, he was ready,’ said Richards. ‘It was just that Donnarumma got here in the marketplace. The difference between Kepa and Raya is so big, so in an enormous game you’ve got to go along with Raya.’
Arsenal legend Ian Wright admitted it was a chance from Arteta and the goalkeeper may possibly have cost his former side the sport.
‘The gamble didn’t repay,’ he said. It was the style of the error that makes you think that “that’s a No2”.
‘It’s something you wouldn’t see a No1 goalkeeper make and it’s unlucky since it’s the turning point.
‘If we don’t concede that goal and we get the subs on, we would get into the sport a bit.’
Arsenal 0-2 Man City – Metro on the Match
Manchester City have secured the primary silverware of the season after Arsenal did not deliver at Wembley.
The quadruple dream is over and the Gunners must now pick up the pieces after a sobering setback.
For City, it has breathed life into their season after a dismal Champions League exit this week with a brand new hero emerging.
Kepa gamble backfires spectacularly
Mikel Arteta decided to maintain faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga after starting the Spaniard in each round of the competition leading as much as the ultimate at Wembley today.
Pep Guardiola did likewise with James Trafford, however it was Arsenal who paid the worth for dropping certainly one of their best players. From the moment the second-half kicked off, Kepa dallied on the ball, inviting the pressure that might inevitably swarm all around the Gunners and spark their downfall.
Raya has been spectacular this season, one of the best goalkeeper within the Premier League by some margin and in sublime form. Had he began, Sunday could have been a really different story.
Old Arsenal fears reignited
We’ve got seen Arsenal collapse up to now. Past failures have so often been used as a stick with beat them with but things have felt different this season.
Victory today would have gone a way in erasing the lingering fears over one other derailment . But defeat at Wembley could function a catalyst for something much bleaker.
Arsenal are still fighting on three fronts, in charge of the Premier League title race and well-placed to proceed marching on in Europe. But the consequences of today might be season-altering. The woeful second-half showing was as bad as anything served up by them this season on the stage where they needed to be their best.
O’Reilly steps up
City needed a hero at Wembley they usually found a home-grown one. With Phil Foden only coming on as an injury time substitute, left-back O’Reilly stepped up as City’s savour with two headers to save lots of their season.
City were incredible within the second period to a person and fed off Arsenal’s apprehension however it was the 21-year-old set the usual once they needed inspiration.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor
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