WHY MIKEL ARTETA RISKED ARSENAL’S QUADRUPLE ON KEPA ARRIZABALAGA’S CUP LOYALTY
Jamie Carragher criticizes Mikel Arteta for starting Kepa Arrizabalaga over David Raya in Arsenal's 2-0 cup loss.
Jamie Carragher has voiced criticism of Mikel Arteta’s choice to stick with Kepa Arrizabalaga for the Carabao Cup final, especially after the Arsenal keeper’s error paved the way for Man City’s opening goal. At Wembley, Kepa failed to hold onto a cross from Rayan Cherki, which allowed Nico O'Reilly to score around the 60th minute. Not long after, O’Reilly doubled the lead for City, who held on to their 2-0 advantage and claimed their first domestic trophy of the season.
Despite this, Arteta stood by Kepa’s selection over David Raya, his usual first-choice keeper, saying he would make the same decision again. Kepa had been trusted throughout Arsenal’s run to the final, but Carragher wasn’t convinced this was the right call. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender argued that Arteta had underestimated what was at stake: ending a long trophy drought for the Gunners.
Carragher expressed a clear dislike for playing the second-choice keeper in such important matches but admitted he could see when it might be acceptable. Still, his main point was that Arteta owes the fans the best possible chance of winning, especially considering Arsenal have only picked up one trophy in almost a decade. He sees the role of a backup goalkeeper as someone who can help in earlier rounds, but believes the final demands the strongest lineup.
“Playing the second goalkeeper in the final doesn’t make sense when the club hasn’t won enough trophies,” Carragher said. “Arsenal needs to do everything to finish the job, and that means putting in its best players, regardless of previous arrangements. The loyalty should be to the supporters more than to Kepa.”
Carragher also drew comparisons with Man City’s approach. Pep Guardiola started James Trafford over Gianluigi Donnarumma in the final, and despite Kepa’s error, Carragher saw a key difference. He argued that Guardiola owed Trafford a chance because he was originally signed to be the first-choice before being replaced mid-season, and the pressure on City to win wasn’t as pressing given their recent success.
“The situation with Trafford is distinct,” Carragher explained. “He came in for that role, but Donnarumma arrived as a late upgrade. Plus, Man City has won this competition several times recently, so the urgency isn’t comparable.”
He also mentioned players like Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, who was trusted in finals because the club was determined to keep him, highlighting that Kepa’s background is different; he joined as a backup and hasn’t quite proven he’s at the top level, something Arsene Wenger hinted at during his Chelsea days as well.
Carragher emphasised that swapping Kepa for Raya isn’t a simple No. 2-for-No. 1 change. He pointed out that Raya has arguably been Arsenal’s standout player this season, so leaving him out for a crucial final means benching one of the team’s best, which is a risky move given their recent lack of silverware.
Arteta, meanwhile, defended his decision by noting that he never promised Kepa a spot in all cup games but acknowledged the Spaniard had earned his place through his performances up to the final. He said errors are part of football, and, though unfortunate, this one came at a crucial moment.
“I have to be honest and fair,” Arteta said after the match. “Kepa played every game in this competition so far, and changing that now wouldn’t have been right for him or the team. Players have to earn their place, and based on what Kepa showed during this run, I believe keeping him was the right call.”
BOURNEMOUTH SHOCK ARSENAL 2-1; ALEX SCOTT HITS 74TH-MINUTE WINNER TO STUN LEAGUE LEADERS
Arsenal fall 2-1 to Bournemouth. Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott secure the shock win to ignite Man City’s title hopes.
Arsenal took a painful hit in the Premier League title chase on Saturday, falling 2-1 at home against Bournemouth. That loss cracked the door open for Manchester City to keep dreaming about overtaking the longtime leaders. Things looked shaky from the start at the Emirates. Junior Kroupi gave Bournemouth an early lead, and even though Arsenal managed to equalise through a Viktor Gyokeres penalty before halftime, they never got their groove back.
Mikel Arteta threw on more attacking players early in the second half, but Arsenal just couldn't break down Andoni Iraola’s lively Bournemouth side. Then, in the 74th minute, Alex Scott finished off a slick passing move, smashing the ball past David Raya to steal the lead again.
Arsenal pressed for another equaliser, but nothing stuck. In the end, it was only their second league loss at home all season, a real setback at a critical stage.
Now, with six games left, Arsenal still sit nine points ahead of City in second. They're desperate for their first Premier League trophy since 2004, but things suddenly feel a lot tighter. If Guardiola’s side beats Chelsea on Sunday and then topples the Gunners at the Etihad next week, that lead drops to just three points.
Arsenal came into this game on a high after edging Sporting Lisbon 1-0 in the Champions League quarterfinal midweek. But they looked oddly flat against Bournemouth, who moved the ball better and showed more energy right from kickoff.
That first Bournemouth goal in the 17th minute was smart team play; Ryan Christie threaded a perfect pass to Adrien Truffert, whose cross bounced off William Saliba and landed neatly for Kroupi to tap in. At 19, Kroupi became the first teenager since Robbie Keane in 1999/2000 to hit 10 Premier League goals in his debut season.
Kai Havertz missed a golden opportunity moments later, sending a header over the bar and adding to the frustration inside the stadium. Still, Arsenal caught a break in the 35th minute, Gyokeres buried a penalty after Christie’s handball.
Arteta, often accused of playing it too safe, tried to shake things up after halftime by sending on Eberechi Eze, teenage debutant Max Dowman, and Leandro Trossard. It didn't work. Arsenal ran out of ideas, resorting to hopeful long balls toward Gyokeres, who missed another late chance.
It’s hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, Arsenal were chasing that rare quadruple before being knocked out by City in the League Cup final and then by Southampton in the FA Cup. They’re still favourites for the league, but with City holding two games in hand and a trip to Chelsea coming up, that title race feels far from over.
DAVID RAYA GUARANTEES CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GLORY FOLLOWING MASSIVE QUARTER-FINAL FIRST-LEG VICTORY
Kai Havertz and David Raya inspire Arsenal to a 1-0 win over Sporting. Read the Champions League reaction and Raya's bold claim.
Kai Havertz feels something incredible is brewing at Arsenal. After David Raya confidently said he’s “100 percent” sure the Gunners can win the Champions League, Havertz delivered a dramatic stoppage-time goal against Sporting Lisbon, giving Arsenal the edge in their quarter-final tie before next week’s second leg at the Emirates.
Things were tense heading into Tuesday’s match at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. The team had just lost two games in a row for the first time this season, so their momentum was hanging by a thread. But that late 1-0 win flipped the mood completely, suddenly fueling Arteta’s squad with hope they won’t finish the season empty-handed.
Havertz admitted, “That win was huge. We’ve all been frustrated these last few weeks. But now’s the moment to move forward, stay positive, and stick together. As a group players, staff, fans we can still make something happen. This season can still turn into something special. That’s what we’re aiming for, and now we just need to keep winning games.”
The man behind much of Tuesday’s success? Goalkeeper David Raya. The Spaniard was controversially benched for both of Arsenal’s cup defeats against Manchester City and Southampton, but after coming back into the lineup, he put on a show, making a stunning early save against Maxi Araujo and stepping up with two more crucial stops before Havertz’s late goal.
Raya’s clean sheet was his 22nd in 41 games so far no other goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues has more. After the match, Raya didn’t hold back with his confidence, saying Arsenal not only will reach their second-straight Champions League semi-final (a first in club history), but could go on to win the whole thing.
He told Amazon Prime, “We believe completely we can win it. We have to take it step by step, game by game, and keep showing what we’re made of. Belief matters; if you don’t believe, you won’t win, so you keep believing, no matter what. After two losses, we had to learn from them, use that pain to push ourselves and get better every day. That’s important, and that’s the message we need to send.”
Arsenal jump back into Premier League action this Saturday, hosting Bournemouth. With a win, they could stretch their lead over Manchester City from nine points to 12. City face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the next day, so the pressure’s on.
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