Mikel Arteta explains why he played Kepa Arrizabalaga instead of David Raya in League Cup Final
Arsenal missed out on their first major trophy on Sunday, losing to Manchester City, and after the game Mikel Arteta had to defend a few decisions.
It was an all too familiar feeling for Arsenal who saw their team reach another Carabao Cup Final, but come up just short of adding to their trophy cabinet. Mikel Arteta was questioned for some of his decisions after the Arsenal failed in their first chance to secure a title this season.
Kepa proves costly
Two goals from Nico O’Reilly settled the scores from Wembley Stadium as Pep Guardiola won his fifth League Cup with Manchester City. The first of the two O’Reilly goals came off an error from back up goal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, and after the match the Arsenal manager had to defend his decision to keep number one keeper David Raya.
“I understand that but I have to do what I feel is right. He has played all the competition and I think it would have been very unfair. They have to earn it. We are guided by what we have seen. I believe it is the right thing to do. Errors are part of football, and sadly today it happened in a crucial moment,” said the Spanish manager.
Raya has played all 31 matches in the Premier League and all but one in the Champions League, but with a title on the line Arteta stuck with the keeper that has played in the Carabao Cup all season long.
International break coming at wrong time
It’s a tough pill to swallow, not just because of the loss, but because of the timing of the loss. Players will now report for international duty and won’t return until the beginning of April. They will have to digest this loss for a while, and Arteta says there were things his side could have done better.
“Very sad, a hard one to take. We know for our supporters how much it means to them. As I said before in the first half there were some good moments and we didn’t capitalise on that. We had chances through Gabi and Viktor. Especially in the second half, those 25 minutes we should have done better. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. For sure there are things we can do better.”
The Gunners have to pick up the pieces and look to the remaining three competitions in which they are still alive. They have a nine point lead in the Premier League, are still in contention for the FA Cup and are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
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